Menallen Township

Like the spring-sprouting wildflowers that cover western Pennsylvania’s rolling hills, Menallen Township is blooming. This sprawling bedroom community about 50 miles south of downtown Pittsburgh is building up its rural landscape to create a welcoming, suburban enclave of Uniontown, and the population is rising every year.

“There’s a lot of farmland and history here, and it’s great for those who enjoy outdoor recreation,” says Jeff Dennis, Realtor with eXp Realty, who sells homes across Fayette County. Traversed by US Route 40, once known as National Road, Menallen preserves the past by restoring historic landmarks such as Searights Tollhouse, an original toll booth built in the 1830s. Red brick ranch-style homes pepper the pastures along the township’s oldest roads, and split-level builds from the mid-20th century fit like puzzle pieces into the hillside. But with burgeoning contemporary developments along hilly streets, Menallen is just as focused on the future and encourages buyers to build their dream homes on the township’s spacious lots.

Newly constructed homes typically include three or four bedrooms and around 2,000 square feet of living space, commanding prices in the $300,000 to $350,000 range. These developments usually include sidewalks that border manicured lawns, which sets them apart from the township’s more rural subdivisions. Older homes can range from $150,000 to $250,000 depending on renovations, size and acreage, and parcels of land are also available and ripe for development — Dennis says many of these lots already have access to nearby utilities, making them much easier to build on. You might even find a plot close to Dunlap Creek Park, giving you easy access to year-round recreation.

Centering on the 50-acre Dunlap Creek Lake, this locally loved park provides space for kayaking and fishing; you can even go ice-fishing in winter. You can also explore tree-shaded walking paths or reserve one of the five picnic shelters for your own weekend event, and kids enjoy spending the afternoon at the lakeside playground. In the evening, you can challenge your friends to a few rounds at Fairbank Bowling Center. But don’t forget to book a morning tee time at Duck Hollow Golf Club, one of the premier public clubs in the area that also includes a restaurant and event space. And to unwind, head over to Deer Creek Winery for a tasting and a relaxing evening on the patio.

As the sun rises on a new day, students can prepare to return to class at one of the local Uniontown Area School District locations. Some students may attend Menallen Elementary School, which sits at the heart of the township and maintains a grade of B on Niche. After attending McMullen Middle School, which maintains a C, students can move on to Uniontown Area High School, which maintains a grade of B on Niche and offers dual enrollment courses in connection with local community colleges.

Once school lets out for the summer, kids can look forward to visiting the Fayette County Fair, a nearly 70-year tradition that draws almost 100,000 people each year. Located about 12 miles from Menallen, the fair is known for its impressive rodeos, fireworks displays and live music, not to mention the petting zoo, carnival rides and local food. If you’re still hungry, you’ll find plenty of options as you drive through Uniontown on your way home. “All these areas are really connected. Uniontown is going to be where you do your shopping and where you can attend annual events like an Italian festival on Main Street,” says Ron Lovelace, Realtor with RE/MAX Professionals, who has sold numerous homes in the area and is a resident of Uniontown.

With a Giant Eagle Supermarket, Target and a Walmart Supercenter close to the massive Uniontown Mall, you won’t have to go far for all your shopping needs. You’ll also find many restaurants and the Fayette County Health Center conveniently off Route 40 as you head into town. Although Uniontown does have a few local bus routes for navigating the city, you’ll need a car if you want to make the trip to downtown Pittsburgh or the Pittsburgh International Airport. But if you’re looking for a community with room to grow, you might like what you find in Menallen Township.

Written By

Hannah Rainey

Photography Contributed By

Rodrigo Betancor

Video By

Brandon Flash Craigie