Just outside not only the city limits of Johnstown, but the county limits of Cambria County you…read morewill come across Greenhouse Park. Technically located in Somerset County in what is Conemaugh Township you will come across this little haven. While driving along 403 you may not notice that this place even exists, especially in the spring/summer months as a majority of it is blocked by the ample foliage. If you do happen to catch a glimpse of this as you drive by you might be able to get a general idea of what this place can and has been used for. But I suggest taking your time to stop in here and enjoy what there is to offer here. One thing that you will notice is that there a pavilions that are sporadically spaced out through the grounds. These can be rented for parties, get-togethers, special events, etc. Most of these have an accompanying fire pit to use at your disposal. Rates for these can be found on the township website. Also available is a playground area where smaller children can get their exercise. The playground area is more of a chutes and ladders type of area as there are no swings or things of that like. What is a huge draw here is the fact that when they decided to spruce up this space they decided to construct rapids in Stonycreek River. Definite draw for kayakers and the like. It's a beautiful setting with these formations they made, many family/prom/graduation pictures have been taken of people standing on one of the rocks. This park also hosts many events throughout the year whether it be for a local boy scout troop, family fun day or Thunder in the Valley (which you have to 21+ to even step foot on grounds for). It's a great place just to walk as well. *Sand volleyball court available, changing areas if you choose to play in the rapids, bathrooms on ground. ******No pets, so don't bring your four-legged friend. You will be fined if you do so.******

Even though the incline was closed, we stopped to look since we were going to the adjacent…read morerestaurant for dinner. It was constructed as a "lifesaver" after the Johnstown Flood of May 31, 1889, the Incline has more than lived up to its original lifesaving purpose. I read that flood waters again swept through the Conemaugh and Stonycreek Valleys on March 17, 1936 and July 20, 1977. During both floods, the Incline carried men, women, children and vehicles to safety and help. It is one of the longest and steepest hoists in the world and one of the few transportation systems of its kind still in existence and has its place in the Guinness Book of Records as "The steepest vehicular inclined plane in the world." The incline is closed for refurbishments set to be completed in Spring 2023. We were thrilled to see a large American flag flying above the incline. The flagpole is 125 feet tall and is on the highest point above the valley. I am sure that this flag can be seen for miles.

This was an enjoyable little trip up the mountain over Johnstown. Great views!! Gives you a great…read moreperspective of the city

This is by far one of the most beautiful things in all of Johnstown. Which begs to differ, how can…read moresomething so beautiful have such a deadly past? The Stone Bridge has been in Johnstown since 1887-1888, built to span the Conemaugh River so that the railway could make its way to and through Johnstown. It is a thing of beauty. Johnstown, much like Pittsburgh, is laid out with two river converging to form a third. A steep hill to the one side of Johnstown with their own inclined plane. At the meeting place of the two to form the third is a park named Point Park as well, possibly the best vantage point to view this bridge. Another good spot is Festival Park which lies across the Little Conemaugh River. I'm sure some of you may have heard about the Great Johnstown Flood of 1889. This bridge withstood that massive wall of water that pounded the city. Good, right? What it also withstood was all the houses, farms, trees, vehicles, debris, and people pushing against the bridge along with all that water. What wasn't great was what happened after that, in an attempt to remove that mass of items ended up starting a massive fire. Altogether combining for the deadly past part. Along with the 1889 flood, this also withstood many more floods as well, notably are the 1936 and 1977 floods that devastated the area as well. Enough with dwelling on the past. What they have done to it now can be summed up with the following. Michael Brosig, co-chair of the Stone Bridge Committee, said, "The significance of the Stone Bridge is that it stood its ground against the flood waters and altered the future of Johnstown completely and forever. It created the backdrop for the event that put Johnstown on the map. Restoring the South facade of that structure and casting LED lighting on it will certainly showcase the triumph of the human spirit in a spectacular style for all to see, enjoy and be proud of their heritage." And a triumph it is. The lighting on the bridge changes often, they have a calendar of what event they will be lighting for in case you plan on stopping by to view it. Each setting of display is beautiful. Such a great asset for the city of Johnstown to have.

From the owner: The historic Stone Bridge is lighted in colorful LED lights for three hours each evening, beginning…read morewith a half-hour lightshow. Afterward, the bridge is lighted in a color scheme that reflects religious or secular holidays (Christmas, Yom Kippur, July 4, Valentine's Day, etc.), special observances or events (Steelers games, World AIDS Day, Breast Cancer Awareness Month, etc.) or the time of year. The bridge lights are administered by the Johnstown Area Heritage Association, which owns and operates the adjacent Peoples Natural Gas Park. Visit the Johnstown Area Heritage Association's website, as linked above, to find out when the bridge will be lighted on any given evening, and what colors it will be (and why).

What a great recreational area for the city of johnstown. Its filled with more activities than one…read moreperson one person handle. I am an avid tennis player so they have more tennis courts that are well kept than any other spot in the city. They also have pick up leagues through the summer and fall which helps to keep you on your toes. They also have basketball and handball courts. Volleyball, and hockey courts. 3 baseball fields. The great thing about this park also is that it is host to one of the city's greatest monuments...the Roxbury bandshell. A brick wall built in 1939 by the people of Johnstown during the great depression to signify the strength and survival of the people of johnstown. Also host to the greatest ice cream shop on the planet Roxberry Creamery. Me and the family spend many summer days right here engaging in physical activity as well as tasty creamy treats. Enjoy if you get the chance!!!!

Central Park in downtown Johnstown could be a great place when given some much needed love. It is…read morein the center of what I would assume is the business district for this small city. Central Park is located on a fairly nice piece of land in the heart of downtown Johnstown. It's not as big as some Central Parks you may come across in other cities/towns, but it is just right for the size and location in this city. Enough space to have a fountain in the center, pathways that crisscross, and a gazebo big enough to accommodate a band on the warmer months. I'll be honest, I have only ever really visited this park when in the winter. I know it's weird, but I suppose I am drawn here in the winter due to the holiday displays. Sponsored by businesses throughout the Johnstown area, Santa's village (as I call it) lines the pathways. In the center is a tree that was recently installed. When lit, it dances along to music. A different display for each song. It is pretty amazing and draws many people to view it. I really hope for the sake of Johnstown that the investment they made for this tree continues for the park. Making this park beautiful will draw people here and businesses nearby. It's always nice to have an oasis in the middle of all the buildings and streets.

Visiting Johnstown to see a hockey game, I had to see the site of the famous dog the saved…read moreCharlestown from the 1938 flood. Slap Shot fans know what I'm talking about. Anyway, the dog has been moved since George Roy Hill made Paul Newman's favorite film about a struggling minor league hockey team in PA. Despite the fact the the dog was moved a block away, the square is much the same and easily recognizable in the film. It's only a few blocks from the Holiday Inn or the Cambria County War Memorial so be sure to stop by when you're in town.

A lot has changed since the last review for this park was posted. If you look back at the pictures…read moreattached to that review you will see that there was not much to this plot of land back then. What makes this interesting though is the link to history that it has. Might I say, Johnstown sure has some interesting little gems in the area. The park itself is a bit hard to find. The address says Main St, but it's not the Main St located in Downtown Johnstown. Instead this is located in the Franklin section of the area. GPS will get you near, but not to the exact place. If, you are like me, and don't pay attention to the area, you will drive right by it. I had to turn around and come back. In the five years from the initial review and mine, the landscape of the park has changed drastically. There is now a walkway to bring you into the area and more to the memorial itself. It is a peaceful area to sit if you like as there is one bench. Parking is a bit odd as it is on a hill. So prepare yourself for a bit trek up a hill. Also to note, there is a bit of an addition to the park a short walk away in front of the Municipal Building. It adds more context behind the name. A little bit about the name. Sgt. Michael Strank. Sgt. Strank was born in Slovakia, his family moved to the US and settled in the Johnstown area. Sgt. Strank enlisted in the military during WWII. Sgt. Strank fought in the Pacific during the war. But the most interesting thing about Sgt. Strank is that he is one of the men that raised the flag at Iwo Jima. According to the informative sign at the park Sgt. Strank gave the order and held the flag until it was raised above them. Sgt. Strank was then immortalized in a picture that is now a statue. Sadly Sgt. Strank did not make it out of the war and died during duty. Who knew?

Great little memorial. You just can't get things like this in California. Here in PA you can walk…read moreright up and touch history, and by doing so you really feel a part of it. Granted, there is a lot more historical sights here, and I might take for granted the ones we have back in So. Cal, but here they are not behind 2 inches of bullet proof glass, they're not painted on so scratched with some jerkoff's name. Do people here have more respect for history or do they take it for granted to and just pass right by without noticing?? I'm not sure because I haven't seen anybody else at any of these sites, but I know this: they are very well kept and maintained, and fresh flowers are always present. Somebody cares and it shows! So thank you whoever you are, it certainly hasn't gone unappreciated!!!

I spent 3.5 days and 3 nights on this trail this past memorial day weekend, my first venture back…read moreinto the backpacking world. This trail begins in Ohiopyle or Johnstown and ends whichever way you choose. If I were to try to pack the entire length I would start at the North end in Johnstown and hike South, to ease up the ankle pain and knee pain :) That comes with packing 20lbs + pack weight and hiking 18-19 miles in one day. Throw in the elevation gain and you will see what I mean. I hiked the South end starting in Ohiopyle and going out to about 26 miles over my time there, then I turned around and came back over two days. Things to note for overnight campers: You can call ranger station at trailhead to make your camping reservation, by credit card it is 4$ a night. Water: there is non drinking water at each campsite, bring a water filter or boil that water as it is not tested. I filtered stream water the whole time and it was fine. Ohiopyle about 6 miles in has the nicest camping ground with access to a large stream, but not all the sites have that. You might want to filter water for night hiking into camp. To save hiking a mile extra back out to get some as I had to do. Firewood, there are fire pits in the shelters if you want to skip the tent but bring something to lock your food up, mice are common in the shelters. I slept in a tent kept my back in the tent with me. There are portapotty type johns at the campsites. Weather: if you check local forecast plan on temps on the trail and at camp at night being around 10 degrees colder because of the elevation change, and storms. Bring rain gear if you're out for more than a day hike! Now for the trail, it is blazed yellow on the trees hard to get lost but a map would have been nice to have. However no maps available in Ohiopyle you have to pay for one at the Laurel State Park office. I did not do that would rather buy a hiking book with the trail in it at a later time. In most places its wide very rocky, lot of tree roots its murder on the soles of your feet, wear boots or stiff soled shoes if hiking for more than one day. Poles could come in handy, I don't use hiking poles but I got caught in little thunderstorm and had to grab a forest walking stick. Some places it looked like they barely blazed a trail at all it was very narrow hard to hike on. Hike with caution. Beautiful river runs stream runs, skyline views, and rock formations. In the first 26 miles views are at mile 6 ish and 24ish, rocks b between 15-20. Lots of birds, and small wildlife I only saw one deer. There is a shooting range at mile 25, just outside the park you will hear lots of gunshots. I would not recommend taking a break or relax day at the Grindle ridge campground out there as I did. Also the campgrounds that have broken water pumps currently are Grindle Ridge and Route 653 shelters campground. This is a lovely hiking trail but steep, be prepared for a challenge in the beginning. Happy Trails!

How can you not LOVE the LHHT? Its a trail I've frequented quite often in the last 15 years, and…read morehope to explore the entire 70 miles. This picture was taken during the Laurel Highlands Ultra race in June 2017. This race can be run as a relay or individually. They also sponsor a 50k race, which is approx. 30 of the 70 miles. There are many trail heads and shelter areas. The trail is great for day hikes, as well as multiple overnight stays. There are also many ambitious people who hike the entire thing. Its always fun to pass fellow hikers on the trail. Trail stories are always fun to hear, and there are people from all over that you'll meet. Running the trail is quite a challenge, as there's drastic elevation changes at some points and many technical areas. I suggest if you've never run the trail, and expect to run the race, you must do at least 1-2 runs on the trail.