Pleasant Valley Park

Pleasant Valley Park's 262 acres of woodlands, open fields, hilltops and remote valleys provide excellent areas for many outdoor activities year round. Anyone who enjoys being outdoors in a natural area, is likely to find something to like about Pleasant Valley Park (Directions to Park).

Volunteers have constructed about five miles of single-track trails which are ideal for hiking or mountain bike riding with loops of varying length. The trails are mostly in the woods.  In addition there is about a mile of old farm road that is great for family hikes. 

Murrysville's other parks and Westmoreland Conservancy Nature Reserves are mostly wooded areas. Pleasant Valley Park contains large open areas that were formerly farm fields or pastures. These fields are starting to re-grow, and are good for viewing birds and wild flowers that prefer sunny areas. The park contains a paw paw tree which is native to this area but is fairly rare. It is tropical looking and its fruit tastes like a banana.

Natural Beauty
There is a large stand of native Dogwood trees growing on a West facing slope of former pasture. To view the Dogwoods when in bloom, follow the old farm road East until you walk past the old storage building and past the dip in the road. After the dip, turn right and walk down hill through the field and look for the Dogwoods on the slope.

Peace and Quiet
Pleasant Valley Park's large size makes it a great place if you are looking for peace and quiet. There is an isolated, fairly steep-sided valley East of the center of the park. When you are in this remote valley, chances are you will only hear the sounds of nature unless a plane flies overhead. It is a good area for bird watching. To hike to the valley, start following the old farm road from the parking lot. Continue following the road as it curves around clockwise. When you come to an intersection with Chestnut trail, take the trail to the left which takes you down a ravine into the valley. You can cross the stream and walk up or down the valley.

Other Activities
The old farm roads are excellent for cross-country skiing or snow-shoeing.  Dog walking is popular.  Please make sure your dog is under control as to not disturb wildlife or other park users.  There are five geocaches hidden in the park which if you have a handheld GPS are fun to find. 

Controlled access archery and flint-lock hunting is allowed in season.  Be sure to wear blaze orange during hunting season.  Signs are posted as reminders.

Trail Map
The Pleasant Valley Park Volunteers have completed over five miles of single-track trails that are excelllent for hiking or mountain biking. The trails are mostly in the woods and follow terrain contours. There are several miles of old farm roads on the property that are great for pleasant walking and provide a return to the parking lot from the end of a hikel.

Topographic Map - This is a large map that shows considerable detail. The map is about 3' X 3' and the file size is 7.29MB.

Visit the Pleasant Valley Park web site for a lot more information about the park, including many photos.

Location
Pleasant Valley Park is located about two miles South of the intersection of Rt. 22 and Trafford Rd. (McDonalds traffic light)

If driving East from Monroeville turn right onto Trafford Rd.
If driving South from Sardis Rd, go straight ahead.
If driving West from Delmont, turn left onto Trafford Rd.
If driving North from Penn Twp. watch for parking lot on right side part way up the hill after crossing into Murrysville.
Shortly after heading South on Trafford Rd, bear left onto Pleasant Valley Rd.

Parking Lot
The parking lot is located on the East side of the road approximately as shown on this map. Use caution when entering or exiting the parking lot because of traffic on Pleasant Valley Rd. (Map)