Riverview Park borders Brighton Heights on the North. It is nestled between Perrysville Avenue, Woods Run and Marshall Avenues. Vehicular traffic access to the park by way of the Davis Avenue Bridge is currently restricted until the bridge is rebuilt, but foot traffic on this bridge is still allowed at this time. 

Located in nearby Observatory Hill, this 287-acre park includes hiking and cycling trails, a large picnic pavilion, and picnic shelters. When Mary Schenley donated Schenley Park to the City of Pittsburgh in 1889, this triggered the now famous cross-town competition. Residents of the former City of Allegheny decided they also wanted a park to call their own and solicited the help of City of Allegheny Mayor and nature lover, William M Kennedy. Under his guidance, the residents pooled their money and bought the Watson property in 1894. They donated it to the City of Allegheny, which became part of Pittsburgh in 1907. In its early years, the park had an amphitheater, merry-go-round, and a small zoo with a flying cage, a bear pit, and elk paddock.

During the late 1930’s and early 1940’s, Works Progress Administration workers built several rugged buildings and stone walls that still define the park’s architectural character, including the park office, the Valley Refuge Shelter, and two bus shelters.

An interesting landmark in the park is the Watson Cabin built in 1894. This 75-year-old cabin, once known as the Watson Presbyterian Church, is a lasting reminder of the park’s earlier days as a dairy farm. The Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy and the City have plans to restore Riverview’s Chapel shelter to its historical design.

In Riverview Park, you can also visit the landmark Allegheny Observatory. Built in 1912, this intriguing building houses two telescopes and an astronomical laboratory, which are still used today for, research by the University of Pittsburgh. It is open to the public for tours.