Paradise Island Bowl and Beach; North Park Pool and Trails (Mon., 8/20/18)

1) What other Pittsburgh-area bowling alley also boasts sand volleyball? Paradise Island Bowl & Beach has one of the longest running sand volleyball leagues in and around the city. The beach is open for the summer and includes a river-side bar, bocce, and horseshoes. The 32 bowling lanes are open year-round. Spectators can watch from the bar, where they can also catch the Bucs, Steelers, or Pens on one of the HD televisions. A myriad of arcade games sit ready for your quarters. Events occur daily and include live music and DJs. Monday is all-you-can-eat crab legs night. Bottle specials run every day. Friday also features $2 well drinks, and on Saturday, Long Island Iced Teas are $5. The beach opens 5 p.m. weekdays and 1 p.m. weekends. Monday – Thursday: 9 a.m. – 11:30 p.m. Friday – Saturday: 9 a.m. – 3 a.m. Sunday: noon – 11:30 p.m. 7601 Grand Ave., Neville Island. (CM)

2) The Pittsburgh area has many beautiful public parks. Let’s zoom in on a couple of great features at just one. North Park is the largest in the Allegheny County park system, and so popular that some parts get quite crowded on weekends. Yet it has under-appreciated assets—notably the North Park Swimming Pool. Opened in 1937, this is one of the largest public pools anywhere, 50 meters wide and 105 long. And it’s not a wave pool, so you can swim 50-meter laps crosswise, bring children to make their own waves (how creative!) in the shallow end, and bask in the gorgeous traditional setting. Also somewhat out of sight, except to those in the know, is the network of multi-use trails in North Park. Over 40 miles of trails wind through the hills and woods, very suitable for biking, running, or hiking. They include a Braille Trail with special markings added. Consult the online maps at Trail Pittsburgh… or just park someplace in the park and find a trailhead. Pool is open 11:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m. daily, weather permitting; trails are always open. North Park’s main entry is 303 Pearce Mill Rd, Allison Park. (MV)

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