Median home cost: $385,000
Population: 28,285
Families (Ages 0-17): 17.87%5 Local parks
4 Park playgrounds
2 Hiking trails
Top Schools: Bradford Woods Elementary School (Bradford Woods), North Allegheny Senior High School, Marshall Middle School (Bradford Woods), Ingomar Elementary School, Marshall Elementary School (Bradford Woods)
McCandless Township is a suburb of Pittsburgh known for having highly-rated schools within the North Allegheny School District and being a good pick for families who commute to Pittsburgh. It’s also close to nature, with much of the 30,000-acre North Park occupying the township’s northeast region.
Slip and Slide
One of the most popular destinations for parties and kid-friendly fun in the area is Fun Slides Carpet Skatepark and Party Center (right over the McCandless border in Ross Township), which offers a skating experience like no other. There’s no need to worry about scraped knees, as Fun Slides proclaims itself to be “The World’s Only Indoor Carpet Skate Park,” and carpet skating is very easy for guests to learn. It also offers other fun activities, such as blacklight dodgeball and “Ninja Warrior” -esque obstacle courses.
Local Oddities
North Park houses several strange attractions, including the only Gravity Hill in the area. If you put your car in neutral at the intersection of McKinney Road and Kummer Road and take your foot off the brake, it will feel like you are rolling uphill thanks to an optical illusion. Not far from Gravity Hill is the Fountain of Youth, an abandoned 1930s spring grotto house built into the side of a hill. While your family explores, stop for an ice cream at the family-owned and -operated Kool Kones of North Park.
More To Explore: Try to spot the area’s resident bald eagles, catch a game at the Harmar Hurricanes Soccer Complex or take a hike at Emmerling Community Park
More for Families
• Northland Public Library
• McCandless/Northern Allegheny Heritage and Cultural Center
• Eichner’s Farm Market
• McCandless Swimming Club
• Lorraine Rogers Soccer Field, Perry Park Lanes and Shooters Golf
Family-Friendly Eats
• BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse
• Burgatory
• Clark’s Restaurant
• Condado Tacos
• Mamacita’s Bistro & Cocktails
Local Pediatricians
• Brian Nolen, M.D. (Genesis Medical Associates: Heyl Family Practice – McCandless)
• Dr. Lisa Hwang (Caring Hands Pediatrics)
(Ross Township)
• AHN Pediatrics Wexford
