Bradys Run County Park
By Timothy Ishman
Recreation and Tourism Director
The acquisition of park property began with its establishment back in June 1946. Named for Captain Samuel Brady, the park was dedicated on August 18, 1950 and expanded in both 1957 and 1958.
Just off Route 51, two miles north of Beaver Borough, is Bradys Run Park, the largest of the Beaver County parks. Situated within Brighton and Patterson Townships, Bradys Run Park’s 2,000-plus acres offer outdoor enthusiasts a plethora of recreational activities and venues.
Bradys Run offers a wide variety of recreational opportunities: there are picnic shelters, athletic fields, tennis courts, an off-leash dog area, basketball courts, a skate park, a street hockey rink, a horse arena, a one-mile walking and jogging loop, 12 miles of trails, and playgrounds.
In addition, the park is also home to many other venues and features. Bradys Run Lodge hosts annual events like the Maple Syrup Festival each spring and the Festival of Trees in December. The Four Seasons Shelter, the newest park addition, is capable of hosting events and activities year-round. Bradys Run Dam, constructed in 1948 on what once was a dairy farm, creates a lake that provides a place for swimming, boating, and fishing.
The park is also home to the Beaver County Ice Arena and Four Winds Recreation Center. Between late August and the end of May, you can find individuals of all ages and abilities taking part in one aspect of skating or another. In addition to hockey teams, the Beaver County Figure Skating Club calls this venue their home and they provide instruction and competition in the art and skills of skating. The recreation center includes indoor tennis courts along with a short walking loop. Prior to its development, tennis players competed under “the Bubble,” a symbol of Bradys Run Park and Beaver County for many years. Today thousands of individuals play and learn the game of tennis year-round. These courts host local high school and collegiate teams, and the facility is a tremendous asset to residents of the county.
No matter where you live, a park can offer either active or passive recreational opportunities–and sometimes both–for people of all ages. Visitors who utilize any one of Beaver County’s beautiful parks benefit physically, mentally, and spiritually. It is a well-known fact that outdoor adventurists, whether they are local or from outside the county, generate significant economic impacts for our county. Those fortunate enough to live in close proximity to a park are not only close to a major quality-of-life amenity, but if they own their home, normally see a higher value for their property.
We are blessed to have such treasures, and so much of what we have has been made possible by those with vision and a desire to preserve our natural areas. As we reflect on the past and look to the future we also recognize the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and its support through Keystone Fund grants, which have been and will remain a critical component for providing outdoor opportunities for everyone.
