Overview & Orientation
Fox Chapel is a borough in Allegheny County, just northeast of the City of Pittsburgh along the north side of the Allegheny River. It covers about 8 square miles and is zoned almost entirely residential. Fox Chapel is known for its connected system of wooded parks and trails, Beechwood Farms Nature Reserve on its northern edge, and the Fox Chapel Area School District.
Where Fox Chapel Is
- County: Allegheny County
- Municipality type: Borough, incorporated in 1934
- Size: About 8 square miles
- Land use: The borough describes itself as 100 percent residential, except for churches, membership clubs, and schools. There is no commercial district inside borough limits.
- ZIP codes: 15238 and 15215. Fox Chapel addresses use “Pittsburgh, PA” as the mailing city, even though Fox Chapel is an independent borough with its own government.
- Bordering communities: Indiana Township (north), Harmar Township (northeast), O’Hara Township (east, west, and southwest), and the City of Pittsburgh’s Lincoln–Lemington–Belmar neighborhood (south)
Typical Drive Times
Times are approximate. Traffic varies by time of day.
| Destination | About |
|---|---|
| Downtown Pittsburgh | 20–30 minutes |
| Oakland | 20–30 minutes |
| Lawrenceville | 15–20 minutes |
| RIDC Park (O’Hara) | 10 minutes |
| Cranberry Township | 30–40 minutes |
| Pittsburgh International Airport | 35–45 minutes |
A Brief History
The Seneca occupied this area in the 1750s. George Washington and Christopher Gist passed through in late 1753. James Powers is recorded as the first settler, arriving around 1790.
The name comes from John Fox, a local landowner. After his death, his daughter Eliza donated land for a Methodist Protestant chapel named for her father in the 1830s. The borough’s main north–south trail, the Eliza Fox Trail, is named for her.
The land was originally part of O’Hara and Indiana Townships. The Pittsburgh Field Club moved here in 1915, and Fox Chapel incorporated as a borough in 1934.
Notable Landmarks
- Beechwood Farms Nature Reserve: A 134-acre reserve run by the Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania at 614 Dorseyville Road, with 3.5 miles of trails, a nature center, and a native plant nursery.
- Trillium Trail: The borough’s oldest park, set aside as a wildflower sanctuary.
- Hardie Valley Park: Land once owned by television host Fred Rogers, later farmed by the Hardie family. It opened as a borough park in 2021.
- Pittsburgh Field Club, Fox Chapel Golf Club, and Shady Side Academy: Three long-standing institutions with large campuses inside the borough.
Housing & Real Estate
Housing Stock
- Lot sizes: The borough reports an average residential lot of one acre or more. Many homes sit on wooded or sloped lots.
- Construction eras: Homes range from the early 1900s through recent construction.
- Early homes: Several houses from 1904 to 1925 reflect American Craftsman and English Arts & Crafts design.
- Zoning: The borough code sets out A, B, and C Residence Districts. Check the Fox Chapel Borough Code for lot and setback rules before buying land or planning an addition.
Types of Homes
Single-family detached homes make up nearly all of Fox Chapel’s housing. Styles vary by era and street, from early-1900s Craftsman homes to mid-century designs and newer custom construction.
Prices and availability change daily. That means the live feed is the place to check. See current homes for sale in Fox Chapel.
Sections of Fox Chapel
Fox Chapel Road corridor The borough’s main north–south road, part of the Allegheny County Green Belt. Borough Hall, the police department, and the library sit along it.
Dorseyville Road area The northern edge of the borough, near Beechwood Farms and the Hidden Falls Park trailhead.
Hemlock Hollow Road valley The central stream valley, home to Trillium Trail and McCahill Park.
Schools
Public Schools
Fox Chapel is served by the Fox Chapel Area School District, headquartered at 611 Field Club Road. The district also serves Aspinwall, Blawnox, and Sharpsburg boroughs and Indiana and O’Hara Townships.
- Fairview Elementary School (K–5)
- Hartwood Elementary School (K–5)
- Kerr Elementary School (K–5)
- O’Hara Elementary School (K–5)
- Dorseyville Middle School (6–8)
- Fox Chapel Area High School (9–12)
Elementary assignment depends on address. Confirm with the district.
Private Schools in the Borough
- Shady Side Academy (Senior School and Middle School campuses)
- Shady Side Academy Country Day School (Pre-K–5)
Nearby Colleges & Universities
- University of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University, and other Oakland campuses
- Chatham University (Squirrel Hill)
- La Roche University and CCAC North Campus (McCandless)
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
- PA Route 28 (Allegheny Valley Expressway): The main route to Downtown. Exit 8 in Aspinwall connects to Fox Chapel Road, Freeport Road, and Waterworks Drive.
- Fox Chapel Road: The borough’s main north–south road, running from Route 28 up to Dorseyville Road
- Highland Park Bridge: Crosses the Allegheny River to Highland Park and the East End, reached from Route 28 near Aspinwall and Sharpsburg
- Freeport Road: The nearest shopping and dining corridor, running through Aspinwall, O’Hara, and Blawnox
Public Transit
Fox Chapel itself has limited bus service. Pittsburgh Regional Transit (PRT) routes run along Freeport Road and Route 28 in neighboring communities. Check the PRT trip planner for current routes and schedules.
Walkability & Bikeability
See Walk Score for Fox Chapel, PA for walking, transit, and bike ratings.
Things to Do
Parks & Trails
Fox Chapel’s parks and trails cover about 500 acres, connected across the borough. The area is a Pennsylvania Natural Heritage site and a Bird Town Pennsylvania community. Some lots need a parking permit, available through the Cooper-Siegel Community Library.
Eliza Fox TrailThe borough’s north–south trail system. It starts across from Beechwood Farms and runs through Hardie Valley, Riding Meadow, Scott, McCahill, Salamander, and Fay Parks.
Trillium TrailOff Hemlock Hollow Road. About 47 acres with three advanced trails. Much of it is fenced to protect wildflowers from deer. No dogs.
Hidden Falls ParkAbout 35 acres from Dorseyville Road south to Old Mill Road, with five stream crossings. Off-leash dogs permitted.
Hardie Valley ParkOld Mill Road. About 16 acres with a waterfall, a pond, and meadows. Leashed dogs permitted.
Riding Meadow ParkRiding Meadow Road. About 34 acres and the borough’s designated off-leash dog park. It connects to the Lockhart Loop off-leash trail.
Salamander ParkAbout 21 acres with an easy loop trail around a vernal pool. Access may be limited during salamander breeding season in late winter and early spring. No dogs.
Recreation
- McCahill Park: The borough’s main active recreation park, renovated in 2025. Turf field, baseball diamond, pickleball courts with basketball hoops, the Annie’s Field of Dreams playground, and an easy walking loop.
- Beechwood Farms Nature Reserve: Free trails open dawn to dusk year-round, plus a raptor center, nature play area, and native plant store.
- Golf and clubs: Fox Chapel Golf Club and the Pittsburgh Field Club are membership clubs, not open for public play.
Annual Events
- Fox Chapel Day (June): The borough’s community day at McCahill Park, with emergency vehicle displays, games, and food vendors
- Fox Chapel 5K and 1-Mile Fun Run
- Egg-Stravaganza, Clean Up Day, and Garlic Mustard Pull in the spring
- Touch-A-Truck, Paint Pumpkins with Police (October), and Light Up Fox Chapel
All are free and open to the public. See the borough events page for dates, and the Fox Chapel Parks Conservancy for park programs.
Dining & Shopping
Because Fox Chapel is residential, dining and shopping are just outside borough limits. Here is where most people go:
- Freeport Road: Restaurants, coffee shops, and services in Aspinwall, O’Hara, and Blawnox
- The Waterworks: A shopping plaza on Freeport Road with a Giant Eagle, Barnes & Noble, TJ Maxx, and Marshalls
- Sharpsburg and Lawrenceville: Restaurant districts a short drive away
Library
Cooper-Siegel Community Library sits next to Borough Hall at 403 Fox Chapel Road, (412) 828-9520. It offers story times, a makerspace, a Library of Things, and the borough’s park parking permits.
Local Services & Resources
Fox Chapel Borough Hall
401 Fox Chapel Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15238
Phone: (412) 963-1100
Website: fox-chapel.pa.us
Council meetings: See agendas and minutes for the current schedule.
Utilities
- Water: Fox Chapel Water Authority, (412) 963-0212
- Electric: Duquesne Light
- Trash: Vogel Disposal Service. Collection is Monday through Friday, excluding major holidays. See trash and recycling details.
- Recycling: The Residential Recycling Center is behind Borough Hall, open weekends
- Brush and leaves: The borough collects brush in the spring and leaves in the fall
- Hazardous waste and e-waste: See collection information
Emergency Services
- Emergencies: Call 911
- Fox Chapel Police: Police department page. Non-emergency: (412) 963-1100.
- Fire: Fox Chapel Volunteer Fire Department
- EMS: Foxwall EMS, an advanced life support service covering Fox Chapel and Aspinwall since 1978
- Alerts: Sign up for Fox Chapel Alert for weather, road closures, and public notices
Hospitals Nearby
- UPMC St. Margaret (Freeport Road)
- AHN Allegheny Valley Hospital (Natrona Heights)
Permits & Zoning
Fox Chapel requires permits for more projects than many towns. That includes building alterations, fences, driveway work, pools, sheds, earthmoving over 10 cubic yards, and removing trees over 6 inches in diameter. Start with the borough’s online permit portal or call Borough Hall.
Frequently Asked Questions
What county is Fox Chapel, PA in?
Fox Chapel is in Allegheny County, just northeast of the City of Pittsburgh.
Is Fox Chapel part of the City of Pittsburgh?
No. Fox Chapel is an independent borough, incorporated in 1934. Its addresses use “Pittsburgh, PA” as the mailing city, with ZIP codes 15238 and 15215.
What school district serves Fox Chapel?
The Fox Chapel Area School District. It operates four elementary schools, Dorseyville Middle School, and Fox Chapel Area High School, and also serves Aspinwall, Blawnox, Sharpsburg, Indiana Township, and O’Hara Township.
How long is the drive from Fox Chapel to Downtown Pittsburgh?
About 20 to 30 minutes, mostly by Route 28. Traffic varies by time of day.
What parks are in Fox Chapel?
The borough has about 500 acres of connected parks and trails, including Trillium Trail, Hardie Valley Park, Hidden Falls Park, Riding Meadow Park, Salamander Park, and McCahill Park. Beechwood Farms Nature Reserve sits on the northern edge.
Is there a dog park in Fox Chapel?
Yes. Riding Meadow Park is the borough’s designated off-leash dog park, and the Lockhart Loop and Hidden Falls Park also allow off-leash dogs. Some lots require a parking permit from the Cooper-Siegel Community Library.
What types of homes are in Fox Chapel?
Almost all are single-family detached homes. The borough reports an average lot of one acre or more, and homes range from early-1900s Craftsman designs to newer custom construction.
Are there stores or restaurants in Fox Chapel?
No. The borough is zoned residential. Most shopping and dining is a few minutes away on Freeport Road in Aspinwall and O’Hara, including the Waterworks plaza.
Where is the Fox Chapel borough building?
Borough Hall is at 401 Fox Chapel Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15238. The phone number is (412) 963-1100.
Thinking About a Move to Fox Chapel?
Whether you are buying in Fox Chapel or selling a home here, we’re happy to answer questions. No pressure. Just local knowledge. Start with the current Fox Chapel 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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