Dog Walkers in South Side Flats

South Side Flats is a small riverside neighborhood located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Frequently referred to as South Side, this neighborhood is a mix of residential and commercial spaces and is across the Monongahela River to the south of the downtown area. Historically home to steel mills and other manufacturing businesses, South Side Flats now has a pleasant mix of multi-story townhouses and apartment buildings. Some apartment complexes are even located in renovated-church, a distinctly Pittsburgh design type. 

Commercially, South Side Flats is home to one of the longest strips of bars in the country and, thus, typically has a lot of college students as customers. Beyond a popular nightlife, this neighborhood has plenty of local coffee shops, restaurants, including the famous Pittsburgh Primanti Brothers, locally-owned boutiques, and a larger shopping complex with well-known brands, a movie store, and an authentic Munich-style brewery. Additionally, many of these local businesses have apartments for rent on their second or third stories. 

While Pittsburgh itself is known for being a rather hilly city, South Side Flats, as its name might imply, is a relatively flat neighborhood. Located along the riverbanks of the Monongahela River, South Side Flats should be a relatively easy neighborhood for you and your pup to traverse. 

Beyond the lack of hills, this neighborhood has plenty of sidewalks for you to use, however, many of them are a bit worn-down, cracked, and uneven, so be sure to always watch where you are stepping. Additionally, this neighborhood is so pedestrian-friendly, you are sure to run into other walkers and other local pups. 

The boundaries of South Side Flats include the Monongahela River to the north, Becks Run Road to the east, Jane Street, and Josephine Street to the south, and the Liberty Bridge to the west. The southern border also marks the start of the next neighborhood, South Side Slopes, so, as you move south in the neighborhood, you may start experiencing more of those famous Pittsburgh hills. 

Thankfully, this urban neighborhood has a few local parks for you and your pup to explore! The largest greenway in South Side Flats is Southside Riverfront Park. Located on the northern border of the neighborhood, along the Monongahela River, this public park is the start of the regional Three Rivers Heritage Trail system. This trail system spans 24-miles along all of Pittsburgh's riverfront and provides safe, traffic-free paths for pedestrians, cyclists, and runners to explore the City of Bridges! The trail also connects to other regional trails. 

The Southside Riverfront Park connects to the South Shore Riverfront Park to create the image of one long, continuous greenway. South Shore also hosts a part of the Three Rivers Heritage Trail, but also has waterway access for recreational activities. 

The other public parks in the South Side Flats neighborhood are smaller and tucked away between local businesses and residences. This includes Armstrong Field, E. Carson & 11th Parklet, Esser Plaza, and Ormbsy Park and its community recreational center.