South Park Township, Pennsylvania
Encyclopedia
South Park Township is located in the southern part of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania
, United States
, near Pittsburgh. The population was 13,416 at the 2010 census.
A large portion of the township is covered by a county park of the same name
http://www.county.allegheny.pa.us/parks/spfac.aspx. Activities provided in the park include ice skating rinks, tennis courts, a roller hockey rink, a championship golf course, picnic areas, shelters, playgrounds, ballfields, sled riding areas, summer concerts, horse-back riding, walking and biking trails, a very large wave-action swimming pool, and a large dog park.
, a prominent businessman, politician and former Pittsburgh mayor, who had died earlier that year. In the 1930s, Allegheny County acquired several large parcels of farm land mostly within Snowden Township and created a regional recreational area named South Park. The huge success of South Park, and the fact the facility occupies roughly one-third of the community's total area, eventually prompted a 1966 referendum in which the township was renamed.
The area in and around South Park Township was settled in the mid-18th century. It is the location of the Oliver Miller Homestead
where, in 1794, the first shots of the Whiskey Rebellion
were fired. A log house was originally built on the site in 1772; it was replaced by a stone structure around 1830, which is open for public tours.
, the township has a total area of 9.2 square miles (23.8 km²). Negligible area is covered by streams and creeks, most notably Peters Creek
. South Park, a 1999 acres (809 ha) recreational area operated by Allegheny County, is located mostly within the boundaries of South Park Township, although a portion is located in adjacent Bethel Park
.
The township is on the Allegheny Plateau
, near where the Allegheny River
from the northeast and Monongahela River
from the southeast join to form the Ohio River
in Pittsburgh. South Park township's topography is quite hilly. The hilltops are somewhat "carved" out by the streams in the area.
South Park Township is bordered by Baldwin
to the north, Pleasant Hills
and Jefferson Hills
to the east, Union Township
(in Washington County) to the south, and Bethel Park
to the west.
and humid subtropical climate
zones (Köppen
Dfa/Cfa). It features four distinct seasons, with precipitation somewhat evenly spread throughout the year. Summers are hot and humid (with occasional heatwaves), while winters are cold and snowy. Fall and spring are mild to warm.
The warmest month of the year in South Park, as in most of the northern hemisphere, is July. The average high temperature is 81 °F (27.2 °C), with overnight low temperatures averaging 57 °F (13.9 °C). July is often humid, resulting in a considerable heat index
. The coldest month of the year is January, when the average high temperature is 30 °F (-1.1 °C). Overnight low temperatures average 18 °F (-7.8 °C). The highest temperature ever recorded in South Park was 101 °F (38.3 °C), on July 16, 1988, and the coldest temperature ever recorded was -23 F, on January 19, 1994.
Due to its position on the windward side of the Allegheny Mountains
, South Park Township receives heavier precipitation than cities located farther to the west, and many days are subject to overcast skies, with 153 days of the year with some precipitation and only 2024 sunshine hours per year.Precipitation is greatest in May, due to frequent thunderstorms and more organized low pressure systems which track up the eastern coast of the United States. On average, 4.04 inches (103 mm) of precipitation falls during this month. The driest month of the year is October, when 2.35 inches (60 mm). Annual precipitation is around 37.9 inches (963 mm), while annual snowfall is 40.3 inches (102 cm).
South Park is no stranger to extreme weather. For example, the Blizzard of 1993 dumped 23 inches (58.4 cm) of snow in under 24 hours. The First North American blizzard of 2010
dumped nearly two feet of snow in less than 24 hours, and nearly 4 feet in the following week. In September 2004, the remnants of Hurricane Ivan brought gusty winds and dropped nearly 6 inches (152.4 mm) of rain in 12 hours.
On the northern side, the area is known as Curry. Curry is a mix of residential homes and a small commercial area, and Curry extends from the northeastern corner to the northwestern corner and down Brownsville Road. The former Broughton Elementary School is located here.
Broughton
borders Curry and extends further down Brownsville Road. Most of Broughton is residential with a few businesses, gas stations, and eateries along Brownsville Road.
South Park Heights is the area in the center of the township. It is all residential homes and the home to the South Park High School and South Park Elementary Center.
Snowden is a neighborhood in the southeastern corner of the township. It is a rural area with some homes and farms. Snowden was once a small mining community, but was absorbed into South Park.
Piney Fork is in the south-central part of South Park. It is a large residential area with a few small stores and restaurants.
Library
, formally known as Loafer's Hollow, is a large neighborhood of South Park. It has a mix of residential, commerce, and industrial areas. Library is South Park Township's "Downtown". It has many businesses along Route 88. Along Piney Fork Road, there are also lots of shops and a few industrial complexes. There are many large plans of houses throughout Library also. South Park Middle School is also located here.
South Park, the actual park, is the last of the six neighborhoods. It is a large park managed by Allegheny County.
is coterminous with the township. The school district has a single elementary school for grades K-4, a single middle school for grades 5-8, and a single high school for grades 9-12. The school district's mascot is the Eagles.
South Park has a rich history in athletics. It has one of the most successful soccer programs anywhere. The South Park Eagles Boy's soccer team has won state championships both in 2005 and 2006. The Lady Eagles have won the state championship in 2007. The High School has also produced two state championships in football in the years 1997 and 2005. Along with these state championships, the high school has had many WPIAL championships as well.
of 2000, there were 14,340 people, 5,422 households, and 4,028 families residing in the township. The population density
was 1,563.6 people per square mile (603.8/km²). There were 5,616 housing units at an average density of 612.4/sq mi (236.5/km²). The racial makeup of the township was 92.15% White, 6.21% African American
, 0.06% Native American, 0.76% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.12% from other races
, and 0.66% from two or more races. 0.55% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race.
There were 5,422 households out of which 35.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.0% were married couples
living together, 9.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.7% were non-families. 21.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.63 and the average family size was 3.09.
In the township the population was spread out with 25.6% under the age of 18, 7.0% from 18 to 24, 31.2% from 25 to 44, 26.0% from 45 to 64, and 10.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 96.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.1 males.
The median income for a household in the township was $51,001, and the median income for a family was $57,290. Males had a median income of $41,002 versus $27,138 for females. The per capita income
for the township was $21,538. About 4.8% of families and 4.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.8% of those under age 18 and 5.7% of those age 65 or over.
Allegheny County, Pennsylvania
Allegheny County is a county in the southwestern part of the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. As of the 2010 census, the population was 1,223,348; making it the second most populous county in Pennsylvania, following Philadelphia County. The county seat is Pittsburgh...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, near Pittsburgh. The population was 13,416 at the 2010 census.
A large portion of the township is covered by a county park of the same name
South Park (Pittsburgh)
South Park is a county park in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, United States. It is the second largest in the county's network of nine distinct parks....
http://www.county.allegheny.pa.us/parks/spfac.aspx. Activities provided in the park include ice skating rinks, tennis courts, a roller hockey rink, a championship golf course, picnic areas, shelters, playgrounds, ballfields, sled riding areas, summer concerts, horse-back riding, walking and biking trails, a very large wave-action swimming pool, and a large dog park.
History
Composed of portions of St. Clair and Jefferson townships in 1845, South Park was originally called Snowden Township, named after John M. SnowdenJohn M. Snowden
John Maugridge Snowden , served as Mayor of Pittsburgh City from 1825 to 1828.-Early life:Snowden was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to a revoltionary war family of patriots. His father was a hero of the war, being imprisoned by the British forces and dying in their custody...
, a prominent businessman, politician and former Pittsburgh mayor, who had died earlier that year. In the 1930s, Allegheny County acquired several large parcels of farm land mostly within Snowden Township and created a regional recreational area named South Park. The huge success of South Park, and the fact the facility occupies roughly one-third of the community's total area, eventually prompted a 1966 referendum in which the township was renamed.
The area in and around South Park Township was settled in the mid-18th century. It is the location of the Oliver Miller Homestead
Oliver Miller Homestead
Oliver Miller Homestead is a public museum that commemorates pioneer settlers of Western Pennsylvania. It is located in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania's South Park about south of downtown Pittsburgh near Bethel Park, Pennsylvania.The house was built on the site of the Oliver Miller Homestead,...
where, in 1794, the first shots of the Whiskey Rebellion
Whiskey Rebellion
The Whiskey Rebellion, or Whiskey Insurrection, was a tax protest in the United States in the 1790s, during the presidency of George Washington. Farmers who sold their corn in the form of whiskey had to pay a new tax which they strongly resented...
were fired. A log house was originally built on the site in 1772; it was replaced by a stone structure around 1830, which is open for public tours.
Geography
South Park is located at 40°17′54"N 80°0′7"W (40.298382, -80.002097). South Park's zip code is 15129. According to the United States Census BureauUnited States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the township has a total area of 9.2 square miles (23.8 km²). Negligible area is covered by streams and creeks, most notably Peters Creek
Peters Creek (Pennsylvania)
Peters Creek is a tributary of the Monongahela River and part of the Mississippi River watershed, flowing through southwestern Pennsylvania in the United States....
. South Park, a 1999 acres (809 ha) recreational area operated by Allegheny County, is located mostly within the boundaries of South Park Township, although a portion is located in adjacent Bethel Park
Bethel Park, Pennsylvania
Bethel Park is a home rule municipality in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, United States, and is part of the Pittsburgh Metro Area, approximately 7 miles southwest of Pittsburgh...
.
The township is on the Allegheny Plateau
Allegheny Plateau
The Allegheny Plateau is a large dissected plateau area in western and central New York, northern and western Pennsylvania, northern and western West Virginia, and eastern Ohio...
, near where the Allegheny River
Allegheny River
The Allegheny River is a principal tributary of the Ohio River; it is located in the Eastern United States. The Allegheny River joins with the Monongahela River to form the Ohio River at the "Point" of Point State Park in Downtown Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania...
from the northeast and Monongahela River
Monongahela River
The Monongahela River is a river on the Allegheny Plateau in north-central West Virginia and southwestern Pennsylvania in the United States...
from the southeast join to form the Ohio River
Ohio River
The Ohio River is the largest tributary, by volume, of the Mississippi River. At the confluence, the Ohio is even bigger than the Mississippi and, thus, is hydrologically the main stream of the whole river system, including the Allegheny River further upstream...
in Pittsburgh. South Park township's topography is quite hilly. The hilltops are somewhat "carved" out by the streams in the area.
South Park Township is bordered by Baldwin
Baldwin, Pennsylvania
Baldwin is a borough in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, United States, and is part of the Pittsburgh Metro Area. The population was 19,767 at the 2010 census.-Geography:...
to the north, Pleasant Hills
Pleasant Hills, Pennsylvania
Pleasant Hills is a borough in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, United States. As of the 2010 census, the population was 8,268.-Geography:Pleasant Hills is located at ....
and Jefferson Hills
Jefferson Hills, Pennsylvania
Jefferson Hills is a borough in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, United States. It includes the community of "Large, Pennsylvania". As of the 2010 census the population was 10,619...
to the east, Union Township
Union Township, Washington County, Pennsylvania
Union Township is a township in Washington County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 5,599 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 15.7 square miles , of which, 15.4 square miles of it is land and...
(in Washington County) to the south, and Bethel Park
Bethel Park, Pennsylvania
Bethel Park is a home rule municipality in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, United States, and is part of the Pittsburgh Metro Area, approximately 7 miles southwest of Pittsburgh...
to the west.
Climate
South Park falls in the transition between the humid continentalHumid continental climate
A humid continental climate is a climatic region typified by large seasonal temperature differences, with warm to hot summers and cold winters....
and humid subtropical climate
Humid subtropical climate
A humid subtropical climate is a climate zone characterized by hot, humid summers and mild to cool winters...
zones (Köppen
Köppen climate classification
The Köppen climate classification is one of the most widely used climate classification systems. It was first published by Crimea German climatologist Wladimir Köppen in 1884, with several later modifications by Köppen himself, notably in 1918 and 1936...
Dfa/Cfa). It features four distinct seasons, with precipitation somewhat evenly spread throughout the year. Summers are hot and humid (with occasional heatwaves), while winters are cold and snowy. Fall and spring are mild to warm.
The warmest month of the year in South Park, as in most of the northern hemisphere, is July. The average high temperature is 81 °F (27.2 °C), with overnight low temperatures averaging 57 °F (13.9 °C). July is often humid, resulting in a considerable heat index
Heat index
The heat index is an index that combines air temperature and relative humidity in an attempt to determine the human-perceived equivalent temperature — how hot it feels, termed the felt air temperature. The human body normally cools itself by perspiration, or sweating, which evaporates and carries...
. The coldest month of the year is January, when the average high temperature is 30 °F (-1.1 °C). Overnight low temperatures average 18 °F (-7.8 °C). The highest temperature ever recorded in South Park was 101 °F (38.3 °C), on July 16, 1988, and the coldest temperature ever recorded was -23 F, on January 19, 1994.
Due to its position on the windward side of the Allegheny Mountains
Allegheny Mountains
The Allegheny Mountain Range , also spelled Alleghany, Allegany and, informally, the Alleghenies, is part of the vast Appalachian Mountain Range of the eastern United States and Canada...
, South Park Township receives heavier precipitation than cities located farther to the west, and many days are subject to overcast skies, with 153 days of the year with some precipitation and only 2024 sunshine hours per year.Precipitation is greatest in May, due to frequent thunderstorms and more organized low pressure systems which track up the eastern coast of the United States. On average, 4.04 inches (103 mm) of precipitation falls during this month. The driest month of the year is October, when 2.35 inches (60 mm). Annual precipitation is around 37.9 inches (963 mm), while annual snowfall is 40.3 inches (102 cm).
South Park is no stranger to extreme weather. For example, the Blizzard of 1993 dumped 23 inches (58.4 cm) of snow in under 24 hours. The First North American blizzard of 2010
First North American blizzard of 2010
The February 5–6, 2010 North American blizzard also known as "Snowmaggedon" was a winter storm and severe weather event that tracked from the U.S. states of California to Arizona through northern Mexico, the American Southwest, the Midwest, Southeast, and Mid-Atlantic regions...
dumped nearly two feet of snow in less than 24 hours, and nearly 4 feet in the following week. In September 2004, the remnants of Hurricane Ivan brought gusty winds and dropped nearly 6 inches (152.4 mm) of rain in 12 hours.
Neighborhoods
South Park can be broken down into the six different neighborhoods. The neighborhoods are grouped primarily by the small towns throughout the township and the time era which the plans of homes were built.On the northern side, the area is known as Curry. Curry is a mix of residential homes and a small commercial area, and Curry extends from the northeastern corner to the northwestern corner and down Brownsville Road. The former Broughton Elementary School is located here.
Broughton
Broughton, Pennsylvania
Broughton, Pennsylvania is an unincorporated community in South Park Township, Pennsylvania. Originally named Curry after Dr. Joseph Curry, frontier physician and Coroner of Allegheny County in 1810, it was re-named Broughton, to avoid confusion with the nearby Curry Hollow and the Curry in Blair...
borders Curry and extends further down Brownsville Road. Most of Broughton is residential with a few businesses, gas stations, and eateries along Brownsville Road.
South Park Heights is the area in the center of the township. It is all residential homes and the home to the South Park High School and South Park Elementary Center.
Snowden is a neighborhood in the southeastern corner of the township. It is a rural area with some homes and farms. Snowden was once a small mining community, but was absorbed into South Park.
Piney Fork is in the south-central part of South Park. It is a large residential area with a few small stores and restaurants.
Library
Library, Pennsylvania
Library, Pennsylvania is an unincorporated community in South Park Township, Pennsylvania along Brownsville Road. Originally known as Loafer's Hollow, it was re-named Library by its residents in honor of the first library in the area, founded by John Moore in 1833.South of Library, the original...
, formally known as Loafer's Hollow, is a large neighborhood of South Park. It has a mix of residential, commerce, and industrial areas. Library is South Park Township's "Downtown". It has many businesses along Route 88. Along Piney Fork Road, there are also lots of shops and a few industrial complexes. There are many large plans of houses throughout Library also. South Park Middle School is also located here.
South Park, the actual park, is the last of the six neighborhoods. It is a large park managed by Allegheny County.
Education
The South Park School DistrictSouth Park School District
South Park School District is a small, suburban, public school district located in southern in Allegheny County. It serves the residents of South Park, Pennsylvania, a suburb of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. South Park School District encompasses approximately 9 square miles. Per 2001 local census...
is coterminous with the township. The school district has a single elementary school for grades K-4, a single middle school for grades 5-8, and a single high school for grades 9-12. The school district's mascot is the Eagles.
South Park has a rich history in athletics. It has one of the most successful soccer programs anywhere. The South Park Eagles Boy's soccer team has won state championships both in 2005 and 2006. The Lady Eagles have won the state championship in 2007. The High School has also produced two state championships in football in the years 1997 and 2005. Along with these state championships, the high school has had many WPIAL championships as well.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 14,340 people, 5,422 households, and 4,028 families residing in the township. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 1,563.6 people per square mile (603.8/km²). There were 5,616 housing units at an average density of 612.4/sq mi (236.5/km²). The racial makeup of the township was 92.15% White, 6.21% African American
African American
African Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have at least partial ancestry from any of the native populations of Sub-Saharan Africa and are the direct descendants of enslaved Africans within the boundaries of the present United States...
, 0.06% Native American, 0.76% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.12% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 0.66% from two or more races. 0.55% of the population were Hispanic
Hispanic
Hispanic is a term that originally denoted a relationship to Hispania, which is to say the Iberian Peninsula: Andorra, Gibraltar, Portugal and Spain. During the Modern Era, Hispanic sometimes takes on a more limited meaning, particularly in the United States, where the term means a person of ...
or Latino
Latino
The demonyms Latino and Latina , are defined in English language dictionaries as:* "a person of Latin-American descent."* "A Latin American."* "A person of Hispanic, especially Latin-American, descent, often one living in the United States."...
of any race.
There were 5,422 households out of which 35.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.0% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 9.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.7% were non-families. 21.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.63 and the average family size was 3.09.
In the township the population was spread out with 25.6% under the age of 18, 7.0% from 18 to 24, 31.2% from 25 to 44, 26.0% from 45 to 64, and 10.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 96.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.1 males.
The median income for a household in the township was $51,001, and the median income for a family was $57,290. Males had a median income of $41,002 versus $27,138 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the township was $21,538. About 4.8% of families and 4.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.8% of those under age 18 and 5.7% of those age 65 or over.
External links
- South Park Township official website
- South Park Historical Society
- South Park School District
- Data for the South Park Township Public Schools, National Center for Education StatisticsNational Center for Education StatisticsThe National Center for Education Statistics is the part of the United States Department of Education's Institute of Education Sciences that collects, analyzes, and publishes statistics on education and public school district finance information in the United States...
- South Park Township Public Library (More information about South Park)