Overview & Orientation
Highland Park is a neighborhood in Pittsburgh’s East End, inside the City of Pittsburgh, along the Allegheny River. The neighborhood covers about 748 acres, and roughly half of that is the 377-acre city park of the same name. Highland Park is known for that park, with its reservoir walking loop, Olympic-size pool, and Lake Carnegie, for the Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium, and for its small business district on Bryant Street.
Where Highland Park Is
- City and county: City of Pittsburgh, Allegheny County
- Municipality type: A city neighborhood, not a separate municipality. City services, taxes, and schools come from the City of Pittsburgh and Pittsburgh Public Schools.
- Size: About 748 acres, including the 377-acre park
- ZIP code: 15206
- Neighbors: East Liberty and Larimer (south), Morningside (west), Lincoln-Lemington-Belmar (east), and the Allegheny River (north)
Typical Drive Times
Times are approximate. Traffic varies by time of day.
| Destination | About |
|---|---|
| East Liberty | 5 minutes |
| Oakland | 10–15 minutes |
| Downtown Pittsburgh | 15–25 minutes |
| Fox Chapel and Aspinwall (via Highland Park Bridge) | 10 minutes |
| Pittsburgh International Airport | 30–40 minutes |
A Brief History
Alexander Negley established the area’s first permanent farm, “Fertile Bottom,” in 1788. His son Jacob added a grist mill in 1816. After Jacob’s death, the family estate was subdivided in 1837, and the neighborhood began to take shape.
The city built a water reservoir here starting in 1872, and it opened in 1879. Land bought for the reservoir became the start of Highland Park, which was established in 1889 and opened to the public in 1893. Read more on the neighborhood’s history. In 2007, the entire neighborhood was listed on the National Register of Historic Places as the Highland Park Residential Historic District.
Notable Landmarks
- Highland Park: A 377-acre city park with two of Pittsburgh’s large water reservoirs
- Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium: Inside the park, including an aquarium section with underwater viewing tunnels
- Giuseppe Moretti sculptures: The Welcome sculptures (1896) at the North Highland Avenue entrance and the Horse Tamer sculptures (1900) at the Stanton Avenue entrance
- Highland Park Entry Garden: A Victorian-style garden with a fountain and reflecting pool, restored in 2005
- Highland Park Bridge: Crosses the Allegheny River to Aspinwall and Route 28
Housing & Real Estate
Housing Stock
The whole neighborhood is a National Register historic district. That means much of the housing is historic, with homes on the residential streets around the park and Bryant Street.
- Historic single-family homes
- Attached homes and duplexes
- Apartment buildings
Here is a practical note for buyers: National Register listing is mostly honorary for private homeowners. But exterior work in the city may still need permits, and some properties have additional local rules. Ask about a home’s permit history when touring.
Prices and availability change daily, so the live feed is the place to check. See current homes for sale in Highland Park.
Schools
Public Schools
Highland Park is served by Pittsburgh Public Schools. Fulton Elementary School, at 5799 Hampton Street, is in the neighborhood in a building that dates to 1894. Neighborhood school assignment follows the district’s feeder pattern and depends on the exact address. Check the city’s feeder pattern boundaries for a specific address.
Colleges & Universities
- Chatham University (Squirrel Hill)
- University of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University, and Carlow University in Oakland
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
- Highland Park Bridge: Crosses to Aspinwall and Route 28 for trips up the Allegheny Valley or to Downtown
- Washington Boulevard: Along the park’s eastern side, connecting to Route 28 and East Liberty
- North Highland Avenue and Negley Avenue: North–south routes to East Liberty and Shadyside
- Butler Street: Along the river toward Morningside and Lawrenceville
Public Transit
Pittsburgh Regional Transit (PRT) bus routes connect Highland Park to East Liberty and Downtown. The East Busway is a short ride away in East Liberty. Check the PRT trip planner for current routes and schedules.
Walkability & Bikeability
See Walk Score for Highland Park, Pittsburgh for walking, transit, and bike ratings.
Things to Do
Highland Park (the Park)
Highland Park is one of Pittsburgh’s regional parks, maintained with help from the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy.
- Reservoir No. 1: The park’s centerpiece, with a historic walking and jogging loop around the water
- Swimming: The city’s only Olympic-size swimming pool
- Lake Carnegie: A small lake for fishing
- Washington Boulevard Bike Track: A banked half-mile oval for cyclists
- Recreation: Four sand volleyball courts, tennis courts, trails, an off-leash dog area, and two play areas, the Super Playground and Farmhouse Park
Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium
The Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium sits inside Highland Park. Its aquarium exhibits include underwater viewing tunnels.
Bryant Street
Bryant Street is the neighborhood’s small business district, with restaurants, a grocer, a bakery, and shops among the homes. A sample from the Urban Redevelopment Authority and NEXTpittsburgh:
- Dining: Park Bruges, Teppanyaki Kyoto, Smiling Banana Leaf, and Park Place Pub
- Treats: Food Glorious Food bakery, LaScola’s Italian Ice and Custard, and Tazza D’Oro coffee nearby
- Shops: Bryant Street Market and Flatboat Fair Traders
For larger shopping, East Liberty’s retail district is about five minutes south.
Library
Highland Park is served by the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh. The East Liberty branch is the closest.
Local Services & Resources
City of Pittsburgh Services
As a city neighborhood, Highland Park gets its services from the City of Pittsburgh. For non-emergency requests, such as missed trash pickup, potholes, or streetlights, contact Pittsburgh 311.
- Trash and recycling: Collected by the city. Check the city website or 311 for your collection day.
- Snow removal and street services: City Department of Public Works, through 311
- Park issues: Report through 311, or learn about volunteer projects through the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy
Emergency Services
- Emergencies: Call 911
- Police, fire, and EMS: Provided by the City of Pittsburgh’s Bureau of Police, Bureau of Fire, and Pittsburgh EMS. For non-emergency questions, start with 311.
Hospitals Nearby
- UPMC Shadyside
- AHN West Penn Hospital (Bloomfield)
- UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh (Lawrenceville)
Permits & Zoning
Planning a renovation, addition, deck, or fence? Building and zoning permits in the city go through the Department of Permits, Licenses, and Inspections. Applications are filed online through the city’s OneStopPGH portal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Highland Park part of the City of Pittsburgh?
Yes. Highland Park is a neighborhood in Pittsburgh’s East End, along the Allegheny River. It gets its services, taxes, and public schools through the City of Pittsburgh.
Is the Pittsburgh Zoo in Highland Park?
Yes. The Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium is inside Highland Park, the city park in the neighborhood of the same name.
How big is Highland Park?
The park covers about 377 acres. The surrounding neighborhood covers about 748 acres in total, so roughly half the neighborhood is parkland.
Is there a public pool in Highland Park?
Yes. The park has the City of Pittsburgh’s only Olympic-size swimming pool.
What school district serves Highland Park?
Pittsburgh Public Schools. Fulton Elementary is in the neighborhood. School assignment depends on the exact address, so check the district’s feeder pattern.
Is Highland Park a historic district?
Yes. The entire neighborhood was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2007 as the Highland Park Residential Historic District.
How far is Highland Park from Downtown Pittsburgh?
About 15 to 25 minutes by car, depending on route and traffic. Bus routes also connect the neighborhood to Downtown.
Where is the Highland Park business district?
Along Bryant Street, which has restaurants, a grocer, a bakery, and shops.
Thinking About a Move to Highland Park?
Whether you are buying in Highland Park or selling a home here, we’re happy to answer questions, including what historic district status means for a specific home. No pressure. Just local knowledge. Start with the current Highland 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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