Five Activities to Enjoy in the North Allegheny Patch This Spring

Celebrating the arrival of spring with your family and friends can be really fun and refreshing after a long winter. Now that the weather is finally improving, it's time to break free from cabin fever, get some fresh air and enjoy fun outdoor activities.

Here are five fun ideas to try in North Allegheny:

1)    Take to the trails. Explore a trail near you at a local park, including North Park or the wild flower trail at Linbrook Park in Franklin Park, or plan a day trip and a longer hike at the Moraine State Park.

2)    Zip to the zoo or your local wildlife or bird sanctuary. Beat the summer crowds and enjoy a visit to the Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium or the National Aviary. You may find the animals are outside and more active as they emerge to enjoy the warmer weather too. You'll enjoy the visit even more if you bring some binoculars, which you can purchase at Dick's Sporting Goods. 

3)    Hit the water. You can rent a kayak or canoe with Venture Outdoors. Spring is also a great time to take a class to learn how to row, canoe or kayak. North Park Boathouse officially opens Memorial Day weekend. And don't forget the first day of trout season is Saturday, April 13.

4)    Volunteer. Serve the North Allegheny together by sprucing up your neighborhood or favorite place to play outdoors. Check out VolunteerMatch.org for opportunities to volunteer in the area.

5)    Start a garden. Now is the time to get your garden beds ready for planting by putting down compost. New to gardening? Join a class or garden club and learn to build your garden beds. Kids can help start the garden too by planting seeds indoors in empty egg cartons that can be transferred outside into your garden beds in just a few weeks. You can get started at Dragun's Landscape Supply or Fairview Garden Center.

TELL US: How will you celebrate the arrival of spring here in town? Share your ideas for getting outside and enjoying the warmer weather in the comments section below.

Follow us on Twitter | Like us on Facebook

Check out some of today's other top stories here.