Pittsburgh's Green and Sustainable Neighborhoods: Part 2, Regent Square

Regent Square is a tree-filled neighborhood located east of the city, just outside of the Squirrel Hill tunnels. This quaint area was one of my first picks because of the high walk score (74, according to walkscore.com) and its proximity to Frick Park. Regent Square is made up of four municipalities, Pittsburgh, Swissvale, Wilkinsburg and Edgewood and covered by three school districts, Pittsburgh, Wilkinsburg and Woodland Hills. The homes are generally mid-sized, older homes sitting on lovely brick streets.

Walk-ability: This category is one of the big reasons Regent Square makes the cut. South Braddock Avenue forms the spine of a sweet business district. The flat, compact, tree-lined neighborhood allows residents to easily reach a variety of locally-owned establishments without the need for a car. Several cafés, a coffee shop, a dry cleaner, corner store, a flower shop, a movie theater and a number of other businesses fill the needs of residents without becoming overdeveloped. It is not uncommon to see bikes lined up outside the local watering holes. The only missing piece is a grocery store, but residents can reach Edgewood Town Center, located just a ½ mile south, or head the other direction to the East End Food Co-op, at the far end of Braddock Avenue.

Commute: Regent Square is centrally located and well served by the PAT Buses which run along Braddock Avenue and off the Busway, at the back of the neighborhood. Regent Square is bounded by Forbes Avenue on the North which gives it a direct route into Squirrel Hill and Oakland and makes an easy (except for normal city traffic) bike commute to the Universities, and then to downtown on the Eliza Furnace Trail.

Outdoor Space: The 561 acre Frick Park is a woodland jewel that borders Regent Square to the West. The park includes a wonderful children’s playground, tennis courts and ballfields lined up along Braddock Avenue, as well as extensive walking and biking trails. Local mountain bikers commonly use the Regent Square parking area as a starting point for summer evening rides and the location for post-ride refreshments.

Environmental Activism: Regent Square is home to the Imagine Environmental Charter School at Frick Park, a school with the goal of fostering knowledge, love of and respect for the environment, as well as high academic standards. The neighborhood is also home to the Nine Mile Run Watershed Association. The square is within a mile of Construction Junction, East End Food Co-op and Garden Dreams Urban Farm and Nursery. Its civic organization is active in tree-planting and beautification of the neighborhood.

Green Housing: Regent Square is a community of older, mid-sized homes and ultimately, reusing those older homes creates much less waste than building new. Because these homes are older, it is important to consider energy-efficiency testing as part of any purchase. Also, be aware of lead-based paint, since almost all were built well before 1978. The good news is that these homes and the homeowners have made an effort to keep the original character of their homes which are full of beautiful woodwork, stained glass and built with solid construction techniques. Just be prepared to insulate and seal when you move in.

Want to find a home in Regent Square? Contact me at www.greenhomespgh.com