Westmoreland 250: 10 unique things in Lower Burrell, Upper Burrell
(Editor’s note: To mark Westmoreland County’s 250th birthday this year, we’ve come up with a list of 250 things — 10 things in 25 communities — that we consider to be important to the makeup of our area. This series will appear each week through December. If you have a suggestion for a future installment, please email gtrcity@triblive.)
There’s more than what meets the eye in the rolling hills and communities of Lower Burrell and Upper Burrell.
In 1852, Westmoreland County Judge Jeremiah Murry Burrell responded to pleas from Allegheny Township residents to establish a new township within their own. A new township, named Burrell Township, was created from the remaining portion of Allegheny Township as the eastern boundary, Washington Township as the southern boundary, Franklin Township as the southwestern line and Puckety Creek as the western boundary. The Allegheny River, separating Westmoreland County from Allegheny County, became the northern boundary.
Twenty-six years later, a new petition was presented to the court asking to divide the township. In 1879, Judge James A. Logan created Upper Burrell and Lower Burrell townships. Lower Burrell became a city in 1959, when Gov. George M. Leader signed its official city charter.
The growing communities, in both population and industry, have much to offer. Here are 10 unique things in the Lower Burrell and Upper Burrell areas:
Penn State New Kensington
Contrary to its namesake, Penn State New Kensington is actually in Upper Burrell. The college is a branch campus to Pennsylvania’s flagship institution.
According to its website, about 700 students are enrolled in the college. Campus facilities include an art center, IT center, nature trail and forum theater, and cutting-edge programs with the Digital Foundry and The Corner. The Corner, which opened in 2017, features workshops and training for entrepreneurs, and is one of the first Invent Penn State innovation hubs. The Foundry features training and certificate offerings for future-ready skill sets, with a focus in manufacturing.
The campus was founded in 1958 in the city of New Kensington, moved to the old Parnassus School in 1963 and later came to its current location at 3550 Seventh St. Road in 1966.
Glen’s Frozen Custard
For decades, Glen’s Frozen Custard was an icon in the Springdale and Cheswick area. In 2010, the business ventured into Westmoreland County and opened a location in Lower Burrell at 2796 Leechburg Road.
In 2016, the Lower Burrell business added a restaurant, GC Grill.
The shop is known for its “Glenwiches,” two chocolate cookies with a custard center, and another treat called a “Julie Bar,” named after the owner’s daughter — it’s a “Glenwich” dipped in chocolate on a stick.
Glen’s is planning to further expand its footprint in the community with a production facility.
K-9 Officer Derek Kotecki Memorial Park
Formerly known as Wolf Pack Park, the Wildlife Lodge Road park was renamed in 2013 in honor of fallen Lower Burrell police Officer Derek Kotecki.
Kotecki, 40, a patrolman and K-9 officer, was ambushed and murdered by a fugitive in 2011.
K-9 Officer Derek Kotecki Memorial Park hosts activities for nature lovers, athletes and adventure seekers alike.
Parades
You can bet that if it’s a holiday or a special event, hundreds of people will line Leechburg Road in Lower Burrell to watch their friends and neighbors march in a parade.
For example, the city hosts Memorial Day, St. Patrick’s Day, “Back the Blue” — which supports police — and Christmas parades. In fact, Mayor John Andrejcik once referred to Lower Burrell as “Parade City, USA” because the city still held parades during the pandemic.
Joseph ‘Bud’ Myers Lower Burrell Farmers Market
Saturday mornings in Lower Burrell wouldn’t be complete without its booming farmers market. The market, which runs from late spring to early fall, recently relocated to Bon Air Elementary School, 3260 Leechburg Road, because it outgrew its original location in the city hall parking lot.
Items for sale at the market include produce, baked goods, all-natural dog treats, soap and bath products, fresh-cut flower arrangements, soups and pierogis, microgreens, jellies and sauces, farm-fresh eggs, spices and olive oils, coffee and loose-leaf tea, fresh beef, chicken and pork products. There are about 30 different vendors this year.
The market also boasts Christmas in July and a harvest-type theme in the fall.
Ghost Pines Farm
Located in Upper Burrell, Ghost Pines Farm is outfitted with 27 stalls, an indoor arena and round pen, three wash bays and a client lounge. The equestrian center was founded by Connecticut native Nicole Reed, a competitive Arabian rider, and her husband, Andy, a Butler native.
The farm is situated on 93 acres along Myers Drive and is surrounded by grazing fields.
The site is named Ghost Pines because on the first day the Reeds saw the property, some fog had shrouded a large track of pines.
Gus Franco’s Pizza
Located at the corner of Leechburg Road and Michigan Drive, Gus Franco’s Pizza is a family owned and operated shop with specialty is wood-fired artisan pizzas.
The homemade dough recipe allows a crispy exterior but doesn’t dry out. The wood-fired oven with a stone bottom cooks pizzas within inches of the wood fire, without a barrier. Each pizza bakes for 90 seconds to 2 minutes.
The popular Lower Burrell joint often sells out every night it’s open, Thursdays through Saturdays.
Alle-Kiski Inclusion Games
This newer event aims to spotlight one’s abilities rather than disabilities.
The Alle-Kiski Inclusion Games is for children 5 to 21 who are unable to participate in traditional sports. It was first held last year in Lower Burrell’s Kotecki Park. Activities last year included soccer, kickball, a cornhole tournament, softball distance throwing and relay races.
This year’s event is scheduled for Sept. 2 in Kotecki Park.
Wildlife Lanes
Wildlife Lanes features 36 bowling lanes for all ages and abilities.
The bowling alley offers league play, birthday parties, corporate parties and fundraisers. It’s also host to the Burrell Education Foundation’s annual Burrell Bowl-A-Thon.
Wildlife Lanes is located at 1000 Wildlife Lodge Road.
Jerry’s Custard
It’s a little out of the way — located at 2705 Seventh St. Road in Lower Burrell, to be exact — but Jerry’s Custard is another outlet that provides frozen sweet treats in the Burrell area.
The establishment has been serving frozen custard and more since 1978.
It boasts a park-like setting where patrons can enjoy their food in a country-like setting.
Kellen Stepler is a TribLive reporter covering the Allegheny Valley and Burrell school districts and surrounding areas. He joined the Trib in April 2023. He can be reached at kstepler@triblive.com.
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