Mingo Creek Park
Mingo Creek Park is in Washington County, PA. The park is located in Finleyville, PA which is about 40 minutes from downtown Pittsburgh.
The park has 2 Covered Bridge, picnic areas, a beautiful creek, a dog park, a observatory, the Henry House, shelters, a model airplane field, and trails. The trails include those for biking, hiking, walking, and horseback riding.
There are two Covered Bridges in the park. Both are available to drive over with the Mingo Creek going under them.
The Henry Covered Bridge is at the East Entrance of the park. Built in the mid 1800s, the bridge is a Queenpost truss over the Mingo Creek. It is 36 feet long and 12 feet 6 inches wide.
If you are arriving at the park, up the hill from the bridge is the Henry House and the observatory.
The Henry House was build around 1817 and 1823. The Henry family lived in the house until the 1960’s. The park uses the house as a shelter, educational programs, and the Henry’s get together once a year on the property.
In this area, there is also a playground, picnic areas, and parking. As you leave the area, head up the hill a bit more and at the top,
As you drive up the hill, this little guy watches you. I can’t decide if it cool or spooky!
At the top of the hill is the observatory. The Amateur Astronomers Association of Pittsburgh runs the site and is dedicated to enjoying the science of astronomy and educating the public.
A few years back, an event was going on in the sky above and I was lucky enough to visit the observatory with lots of wonderful volunteers with great talks about many topics. It was great.
Down from the observatory is a cabin that has been around over 150 years and is currently being used for educational programs.
Plus a few shelters.
After you go back down the hill, turn to the right and you will find this playground area which is one of many littered throughout the Mango Park.
The park also has great little picnic areas which are close to the Mango Creek and others a bit back from the Creek. Great place to spend the day and still be social distant as while with your family!
They have a paved path that starts by the Henry Covered Bridge and go through the park and next to the Ebenezer Covered Bridge. Plus they have these little bridges to walk across as the trail goes around the park.
The Ebenezer Covered Bridge is about a mile from the Henry Covered Bridge. There is no know record of when the bridge was built but it is a Queen Truss. It is 32 feet long and 15 feet wide. It was moved to the current location in the 1970’s as it was located in the area of I-70 was being built.
Near the Ebenezer Covered Bridge is wonderful picnic areas.
Throughout the park, you have these great views of the creek and a nice place to spend a summer day with children splashing around in the creek as it not to deep but perfect to play in.
A great little day trip! Especially, if you end your day after a brief tour of a few Covered Bridges in the area. Check out my post of Eastern Tour Of Washington County Covered Bridges which two are in this park!