Overview & Orientation
Bethel Park is a home rule municipality in Allegheny County, in Pittsburgh’s South Hills. It covers about 11.7 square miles. Bethel Park is known for its three light rail lines and park-and-ride lots, South Hills Village, the Montour Trail’s Bethel Park spur, more than a dozen municipal parks, and the Bethel Park School District.
Where Bethel Park Is
- County: Allegheny County
- Municipality type: Formed as Bethel Township in 1886 and incorporated as a borough on March 17, 1949. It now operates as a home rule community with a mayor and nine council members, one from each ward.
- Size: About 11.7 square miles
- ZIP codes: 15102 is the main ZIP code. Some border areas use 15234, 15236, or 15241.
- Bordering communities: Castle Shannon (north), Whitehall (north-northeast), Baldwin (northeast), South Park Township (east and southeast), Peters Township in Washington County (south), Upper St. Clair (west), and Mt. Lebanon (north-northwest)
Typical Drive Times
Times are approximate. Traffic varies by time of day.
| Destination | About |
|---|---|
| South Hills Village | 5–10 minutes |
| Canonsburg | 20–25 minutes |
| Downtown Pittsburgh | 20–30 minutes |
| Oakland | 25–35 minutes |
| Pittsburgh International Airport | 35–45 minutes |
| Cranberry Township | 45–55 minutes |
A Brief History
Bethel Park is named for Bethel Presbyterian Church, whose roots trace to 1776, when missionary John McMillan held services in the area. The area was settled around 1800. See Bethel Park history.
Interurban streetcar lines in the early 1900s made Bethel Park an early streetcar suburb. Those lines stayed in service and were upgraded to light rail in the 1980s. Coal mining was also part of local history. The Coverdale, or “H,” Mine opened around 1920.
Notable Landmarks
- South Hills Village: A two-level shopping mall and the end of PRT’s Red and Blue light rail lines
- Montour Trail, Bethel Park spur: A 3.4-mile branch running north from Library Junction, with trailhead parking at 5780 Irishtown Road
- Schoolhouse Arts & History Center: A local arts and history center that partners with the Bethel Park Volunteer Fire Company on community open houses
- Bethel Park Community Center: At 5151 Park Avenue, next to the Park Avenue fields and the Splash Park
Housing & Real Estate
Housing Stock
- Mix of homes: The municipality describes its housing as condos, apartments, townhomes, and single-family homes, both new and older.
- Streetcar suburb roots: Early neighborhoods grew along the trolley lines, which still run as light rail today.
Types of Homes
Bethel Park’s housing includes single-family homes, townhomes, condominiums, and apartments, from older neighborhoods that grew up along the trolley lines to newer construction.
Prices and availability change daily. That means the live feed is the place to check. See current homes for sale in Bethel Park.
Schools
Public Schools
Bethel Park is served by the Bethel Park School District, with offices at 301 Church Road.
- Abraham Lincoln, Benjamin Franklin, George Washington, Memorial, and William Penn Elementary Schools (K–4)
- Neil Armstrong Middle School (5–6)
- Independence Middle School (7–8)
- Bethel Park High School (9–12)
Elementary assignment depends on address. Confirm with the district.
Nearby Colleges & Universities
- Community College of Allegheny County South Campus (West Mifflin)
- University of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University, and other Oakland campuses
- Duquesne University (Bluff, near Downtown)
For school performance data, visit the Pennsylvania Department of Education’s Future Ready PA Index and the district’s own website. School assignments can change. Confirm directly with the district.
Getting Around
Major Roads
- U.S. Route 19 and PA Route 88: The main roads through Bethel Park, with much of its commercial development
- Allegheny County belts: The Yellow and Orange Belts run through the municipality.
- Interstate 79 and the Mon-Fayette Expressway: Within about 15 minutes, though neither enters Bethel Park
Public Transit
All three Pittsburgh Regional Transit (PRT) light rail lines run through Bethel Park. The Red and Blue Lines end at South Hills Village, and the Silver Line runs through the business district to its end in Library. Park-and-ride lots are at South Hills Village, West Library, Lytle, and Washington Junction.
Walkability & Bikeability
See Walk Score for Bethel Park, PA for walking, transit, and bike ratings. The Montour Trail’s Bethel Park spur connects the municipality to the main trail.
Things to Do
Parks
Bethel Park’s municipal parks range from neighborhood playgrounds to full athletic complexes. Pavilions and fields can be booked through Bethel Park Recreation, (412) 831-1328.
Park Avenue
5151 Park Avenue, next to the Community Center. Splash Park, play area, lit multipurpose field, walking track, pavilion, and concession stand.
Simmons Park
1200 Clifton Road. Two pavilions, a zip line, basketball, sand volleyball, ball fields, pickleball and tennis courts, batting cages, and a walking trail.
Millennium Park
5900 Baptist Road. Baseball and softball fields, 10 pickleball courts, batting cages, a walking trail, and a play area.
Miner’s Park
5480 Main Street. Pavilion, play area, lit basketball court, ball fields, and batting cages.
Moury Park
7000 Alicia Drive. Two pavilions, play areas, a soccer and lacrosse field, horseshoe courts, and a walking trail.
More parks
Birch Tree, Elm Tree, Mollyhill (with a WWII memorial), Oak Tree, Pine Tree, and Peter Page Park, which has a walking trail and arboretum
Recreation
- Community Center: Room rentals and recreation programs at 5151 Park Avenue, (412) 851-2910
- Splash Park: A 1-acre splash area at Park Avenue
- Montour Trail: Biking and walking on the Bethel Park spur
- South Park: The large Allegheny County park borders Bethel Park to the east and southeast.
Annual Events
- Bethel Park Community Day (September): A municipal celebration held rain or shine
- Fall farmers markets: Indoor markets at the Community Center
- Fall Cleanup Day (October): A municipal cleanup event, with registration required
See the community events calendar for current dates.
Dining & Shopping
- South Hills Village: The area’s two-level shopping mall
- Route 19 and Route 88: Restaurants, shops, and services along Bethel Park’s main roads
Library
The Bethel Park Public Library is at 5100 West Library Avenue, (412) 835-2207. Hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, except in summer, when it is closed Sundays.
Local Services & Resources
Bethel Park Municipal Building
5100 West Library Avenue, Bethel Park, PA 15102
Phone: (412) 831-6800
Hours: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday
Website: bethelparkpa.gov
Council meetings: See the meeting calendar for dates.
Utilities
- Trash and recycling: Waste Management, (800) 866-4460. Trash is collected weekly and recycling every other week, and glass goes in the recycling cart. Up to two bulk items a month are picked up during the first full week. See trash and recycling details.
- Holidays: A weekday holiday pushes that week’s collection back one day.
- Leaves and yard waste: Call (412) 831-6800, ext. 205.
Emergency Services
- Emergencies: Call 911
- Bethel Park Police: Non-emergency: (412) 831-6800, ext. 102
- Fire: Bethel Park Volunteer Fire Company
Hospitals Nearby
- St. Clair Hospital (Mt. Lebanon)
- AHN Jefferson Hospital (Jefferson Hills)
Permits & Zoning
Permits and zoning go through the municipality’s Community Development department. Applications are on the permit and application packets page, and the zoning map is online. Call (412) 831-6800 before starting a fence, deck, shed, pool, or addition.
Frequently Asked Questions
What county is Bethel Park, PA in?
Bethel Park is in Allegheny County, in Pittsburgh’s South Hills.
Is Bethel Park a borough or a township?
Bethel Park was Bethel Township from 1886 until it incorporated as a borough in 1949. It now operates as a home rule community.
What school district serves Bethel Park?
The Bethel Park School District, with five elementary schools, Neil Armstrong and Independence Middle Schools, and Bethel Park High School.
How long is the drive from Bethel Park to Downtown Pittsburgh?
About 20 to 30 minutes. Traffic varies by time of day. All three T light rail lines are another option.
Is there light rail in Bethel Park?
Yes. PRT’s Red, Blue, and Silver Lines all run through Bethel Park, with park-and-ride lots at South Hills Village, West Library, Lytle, and Washington Junction.
What parks are in Bethel Park?
More than a dozen municipal parks, including Simmons, Millennium, Miner’s, and Moury Parks and the Park Avenue fields with the Splash Park. South Park borders the municipality.
Who collects trash in Bethel Park?
Waste Management collects trash weekly and recycling every other week. Call (800) 866-4460.
Where is the Bethel Park municipal building?
The municipal building is at 5100 West Library Avenue, Bethel Park, PA 15102. The phone number is (412) 831-6800.
Thinking About a Move to Bethel Park?
Whether you are buying in Bethel Park or selling a home here, we’re happy to answer questions. No pressure. Just local knowledge. Start with the current Bethel Park listings, or reach out to our team.
Mike Pastor Group | Realty ONE Group Landmark
412-214-9494 | pittsburghhometeam.com
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Written by Mike Pastor, Team Leader, Mike Pastor Group | Realty ONE Group Landmark | PA License RS328638
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