Kidsburgh Neighborhood Guide: Exploring Franklin Park/Ingomar/Bellwood

Blueberry Hill Park photo above by Sammi Heikinen.

Pittsburgh is full of interesting neighborhoods, but many families may be in the habit of spending time mostly in the parts of town where they live or work. Throughout 2025, Kidsburgh will be sharing guides to a wide range of neighborhoods. You’ll find things to do, along with great places to eat and drink and shop – all in guides written by people who live in these neighborhoods.

My name is Sammi, a slightly new native to Bellwood, a neighborhood that I love to call home. I’m excited to share all the fun spots and social activities that happen in my community in this edition of Kidsburgh’s Neighborhood Guide!

Below you’ll find all the secrets to finding the best coffee latte, the hidden spots in our local library to study, and the go-to place to get in your workout.

Welcome to Bellwood and the surrounding area!

EAT AND DRINK

Koala Bear Cafe, 820 W. Ingomar Rd.

You’ll find a warm and welcoming atmosphere filled with the smell of freshly baked sweets, as friends and families laugh. Anytime you need a pick-me-up, their latte which includes two shots of espresso always gives you the perfect kick of energy.

Not only does Koala Bear Cafe offer drinks and artisanal baked goods, but they also have an ice cream bar downstairs that is a favorite of the elementary school kids. The best part of the cafe is actually not the extremely delicious blueberry muffins. It’s the welcoming atmosphere that can turn a quick stop into a long conversation. Whether students are talking about their finals or parents are talking about their children, there is always a smile waiting for you at the other end of the counter.

Bruster’s Ice Cream, 9600 Perry Highway

The perfect place to get a daily sweet treat. Whether families are celebrating a chorus concert at 10 p.m. or you want to stop for a sweet treat with a friend, Bruster’s is the fastest and best place to go. Bruster’s has over 15 flavors of ice cream to choose from which switch based on the season. Not only are there 15 flavors, but enough toppings to become a kid’s paradise.

You may have a Bruster’s in your own neighborhood, but I encourage you to check out this one. I love speaking to the waitstaff, as they are predominantly local high schoolers. Even if you don’t know them, you’ll find that they give you your ice cream cone with a smile.

PLACES TO VISIT

Blueberry Hill Park

A park with a deserving name. Blueberry Hill Park, commonly referred to simply as Blueberry Hill, is the best place to take a slow walk in the evening or have a picnic with friends. Blueberry Hill is named after the abundance of blueberry bushes and greenery there.

The park also contains numerous pickleball courts, tennis courts and basketball courts for the community to play. While older kids and adults may play the sports, younger kids enjoy the fun slides and monkey bars as they play freeze tag.

During my weekends, I love to drive down to the park to enjoy a two-mile walk along the paved path through the greenery and breathe in the fresh air.

Baierl Family YMCA

Are you in need of a workout, swim, or want to play ping pong with a friend? The Baierl Center YMCA is the perfect place to go.

The YMCA always has an indoor pool open that offers pool workouts, swim team practices, and a play area for toddlers to splash around with their parents. And during the summer, the outdoor pool opens with a waterslide as families head over for a fun day next to the pool. If you are not a member, you can purchase a day pass for $25 which gives you access to all of the pools!

If you are more interested in weightlifting and running, you can head up to the second floor to use one of over 20 machines and head to the free weights area. A $25 day pass will also give you access to all of these facilities. If you are already a YMCA member in a different location you can swipe your membership card and use all the facilities at Baierl as well. Whenever I visit, I always love to hit the weights and then head over to the track to walk and chat with friends.

Northland Public Library

My all-time favorite place to visit is our public library which has a collection of nearly 200,000 items! Anytime I am in need of a book or CD, I head down and talk with the open and welcoming staff. I also love to browse the aisles with the senior volunteers, as we talk about their grandchildren visiting soon.

Want to stop by for an event? Puzzle swaps at the Northland library are on Mondays from 6:30-7:30 p.m., writing workshops happen from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Thursdays, and “Tea and Stitches” (a workshop on learning how to crochet while enjoying your favorite teas) from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on Fridays!

However, my favorite part is the slightly hidden study nooks that are completely silent and allow me to relax and focus. My tip for finding them: Enter the second floor and walk past all the non-fiction books until you can no longer hear a single conversation. I love sitting there peacefully as I work on a school paper or study for a final. It can also be a great place to just read a book for pleasure.

FUN EVENTS

Walking Groups:

One of the integral pillars of Bellwood is the walking clubs that encourage adults and the elderly to socialize and create new friendships. Every morning, numerous groups of grandparents, parents, and sometimes kids take an hourly walk to start their day. This is a great opportunity for parents and grandparents to meet new people and get in their daily dose of exercise!

My grandpa especially loves walking with his new friends, as they visit each other’s houses and share tips on how to plant the best tomatoes (there is usually some competition). I love seeing my grandpa find new ways to socialize and continue to expand his social circle, instead of having to sit in the house all day while my parents work and my brother and I are at school. I love that our neighborhood offers things like these intergenerational walking groups.

Bellwood has not only provided a home, but a community of support systems and opportunities for families to have fun. I hope you come visit!