Congratulations to the 2025 Great Places in PA!
The Pennsylvania Chapter of the American Planning Association (APA PA) is proud to announce the 2025 Great Places in PA. Great Places are unique, memorable places that display a wealth of best practices in community planning, serve as a community focal point, and strengthen the local economy. They also demonstrate the rewarding results that occur through planning, partnerships, and community engagement.
For 2025, the categories were Great Greenways/Trails or Preserves, Great Public Spaces, and Great Transformations. Five Great Places were designated; four in the Public Spaces category and one in the Greenways/Trails or Preserves category. There are now 64 designated “Great Places in PA,” located in 35 of the Commonwealth’s 67 counties. Additionally, designated Great Places can be found in each of the Chapter’s six sections.
A Great Public Space is a vibrant place that fosters a sense of community through people of all ages and abilities gathering to play, socialize, enjoy a meal or concert, relax, or just enjoy the outdoors. It is a focal point for community events, which bring people together and bolster the economy. Below are the 2025 Great Public Spaces.
Boyce Bouldering Park and Pump Track is located within Boyce County Park, an 1,100-acre site covering portions of Monroeville and Plum Borough in Allegheny County. Although Boyce County Park offered a wide variety of activities, ranging from hiking, skiing, and snow tubing to swimming, archery, sports, and playgrounds, the addition of the Bouldering Park and Pump Track offers a unique level of adventure, fitness, and family-friendly fun. Bouldering Park features a variety of low climbing walls with routes for all ages and skill levels. Designed and built by local experts, the park offers over 100 unique routes to accommodate all skill levels, including an ADA-accessible path. The Pump Track is a smooth, looped course with curves and small hills designed for bikes, scooters, skateboards, and wheelchairs. Riders use body movement to gain momentum, making it a great place to improve rhythm, flow, and control, while having fun. Boyce Bouldering Park & Pump Track is a symbol of creative urban planning and active living, earning its place as a universally accessible regional outdoor destination. This hub of activity, together with the other Boyce County Park amenities and the many events hosted in the park, generate significant economic value for the local municipalities and the region.
Outdoor Discovery Space & Sensory Nature Trail, located in Pittsburgh’s Frick Park (Allegheny County), is a unique, interactive destination designed to engage all senses through nature. Located in a peaceful natural setting, it invites visitors of all ages and abilities to explore, touch, listen, and connect with the environment in a meaningful way. The Discovery Space sparks curiosity through plant and wildlife observation areas and nature-based play and art making. Along the fully accessible 1/3-mile Sensory Nature Trail are hands-on stations that encourage exploration through sound, texture, scent, and sight. The Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy created an inclusive Advisory Committee and engaged the public through focus groups, public meetings, and a public survey during the design process. An array of community partners and funders brought the strongly supported project to fruition. The result is a place where education, relaxation, and sensory awareness come together outdoors. It serves as an outdoor classroom for visitors, school groups, and summer campers. Individuals of all ages and abilities frequently visit to play and experience the physical, sensory, emotional, and healing benefits of nature and the environment.
River Common is located along the Susquehanna River in downtown Wilkes-Barre (Luzerne County). It is not only a revitalized public space that connects people to nature, culture, and community, but also a flood control project. With its scenic views, walking paths, open green spaces, and event areas, this 55-acre riverfront park has become the town’s “front porch.” The paved path that runs parallel to the river is perfect for walking, jogging, biking, or simply enjoying the stunning views of the River and public art. Wide lawns and shade trees offer spots to picnic, relax, or read; it’s a peaceful escape in the middle of the city. With boat launches nearby, the park also serves as a gateway to river activities like kayaking, canoeing, and fishing. River Commons hosts concerts, festivals, yoga sessions, environmental education programs, and art events – turning this riverside into a lively cultural center that brings people of all ages together and enhances the local economy. Once a flood-prone area, River Commons has transformed the riverfront into a resilient and welcoming space, showing how thoughtful urban planning can bring beauty and safety together. Thanks to its mix of nature, recreation, and community life, River Common is a tremendous asset to the City and has stimulated new private investment in the downtown.
The Zimmerman Center for Heritage, located on the banks of the Susquehanna River in Lower Windsor Township (York County), is a restored mid-18th century Georgian stone architecture house that now serves as a vibrant hub for history, culture, and river exploration. Inside, visitors can explore the “Visions of the Susquehanna” art collection, which interprets the river’s cultural legacy, and learn about the colonial-era architecture and Susquehannock people. Outdoors, the Center has a walking path to its riverside pavilion, paddle launch, and floating dock, which provide scenic views of the river and surrounding landscape. Seasonal river discovery boat tours are offered aboard the historic Chief Uncas, a 1912 electric-powered boat. Another walking path leads to Native Lands County Park, where staff use interpretive signs to share the story of the Susquehannock village and people that once existed there. Throughout the year, the Center hosts school visits, guided tours, and public events focused on heritage, environmental education, and conservation. The Susquehanna National Heritage Area, which manages the Zimmerman Cener, has engaged in strategic planning and community outreach and developed strong partnerships to transform the once privately owned residence into a thriving gateway to river history and culture. A symbol of thoughtful preservation, the Zimmerman Center blends nature, culture, and education, making it a meaningful riverfront destination for residents and visitors, who enhance the local economy.
A Great Greenway/Trail or Preserve is land set aside to preserve/protect open space, scenic landscapes, historical resources, natural resources, and/or plant/animal habitats. They can be found in urban, suburban, and rural settings. More specifically, a Greenway/Trail is a linear corridor of open space that provides linkages to connect people to parks, schools, downtowns, places of employment, pristine natural areas, and/or historical structures and features. A Preserve is a protected area that is mostly undeveloped and open to the public. Passive recreation opportunities, such as walking/hiking trails, hunting, and fishing, are managed to ensure the health and integrity of the natural environment. Below are the 2025 Great Public Spaces. An overview of the 2025 Great Greenway/Trail or Preserve is provided below.
Endless Mountains Gravel Bikepacking Loop (EMGBL), in Bradford, Sullivan, Susquehanna, and Wyoming Counties, is an adventurous 430-mile cycling route winding through the scenic landscapes of northeastern Pennsylvania. It offers riders a blend of challenge and exploration. About 65% of the route is gravel or dirt, with the remaining portion on quiet paved roads. Riders experience over 42,000 feet of elevation gain, tackling varied terrain that tests endurance and skill. The loop brings riders to or near five state parks, a state forest, and the Susquehanna River North Branch Water Trail. Guided by wayfinding and interpretive signage, cyclists can explore charming small towns, heritage sites, and local eateries, adding a cultural dimension to the ride. The availability of diverse lodging options makes the loop suitable for multi-day bikepacking trips. To accommodate a more diverse group of cyclists, 15 to 20 shorter loops are incorporated. The EMGBL, the first official bikepacking loop in Pennsylvania, was the brainchild of a Sullivan County cycling enthusiast who formerly served as County Commissioner and Endless Mountain Heritage Area board member. With her encouragement, the Heritage Area teamed with county tourism agencies, the Northern Tier Regional Planning and Development Commission, and several avid cyclists to bring the project to fruition. Challenge events have attracted riders from Pennsylvania and beyond. The EMGBL has become an economic driver for the rural communities throughout the region and a symbol of endurance and exploration.
In recognizing the 2025 Great Places, APA PA also celebrates the many community leaders, officials, professionals, and residents who contributed to making these places “great.” A special thank-you is also extended to the dedicated panel of judges that volunteer their time to review and rate the nominations, as well as select the Great Places.
Consider adding PA’s “Great Places” to your list of places to visit. More information about the 2025 Great Places and previously designated Great Places is available on the Chapter website (www.planningpa.org).
Stay tuned for the opportunity to nominate Great Places in 2026. It’s not too early to start thinking about great places to nominate in your community.