Garden venue
The sweet-smelling centerpiece of McKeesport, 205-acre Renziehausen Park features a 400-square foot perennial garden, an arboretum containing over 1,800 roses cultivated by the Garden Club of McKeesport, a bandshell, Lake Emilie (a popular fishing spot), and a butterfly garden. The park hosts summer concerts, sporting activities, and the International Village, the city’s annual heritage festival which celebrates nationalities around the world. The McKeesport Regional History & Heritage Center, located in the park, features exhibits and photography dating back over 150 years.
History
The park is named for the Renziehausen family, German immigrants to McKeesport prior to the Civil War. The family patriarch operated a haberdashery in town, although the family fortune — including a $50,000 gift to develop the park — was accumulated in the distillation and sale of award-winning Large Monongahela Whiskey, a Pennsylvania rye favorite.
Visitor Information
Renziehausen Park is open daily, 6:30 am to 7:30 pm, and requires a bit of road riding from the Great Allegheny Passage. Summer is a great time to see roses in bloom. Parking is available at several locations off Eden Park Boulevard.