“The Town Known ‘Round The World”
Slippery Rock, PA – The Town Known ‘Round The World – is an ideal place to visit, live and work. Housing is affordable, taxes are relatively low, and the educational system – from kindergarten through the university level – is excellent. Retired people find a cozy community with friendly neighbors, easy access to shopping and health care plus lively learning and recreational options.
Bill Sonntag, a long-time resident and member of the non-profit Slippery Rock Development, envisions new businesses catering to hikers and daycationers. “We’re open for business and fun,” he said. “Our location to the nearby outlet mall in Grove City adds a 135-store complex to our attractive destination. We are a growing community, as homeowners want a rural location with suburban amenities.”
Slippery Rock’s downtown area now has a picturesque new look. It’s still the same small, friendly town, but in the past few years, community leaders, artists and developers have revitalized its appearance. As a result, downtown – now known as The Village at Slippery Rock – has new sidewalks, street lights, benches, parking and a Gazebo plus places to eat, drink, shop, and stay. Landscaping and art beautify the area with murals, sculptures, parks and waterfalls.
All of these improvements have revved up downtown business activity and enhanced its economic potential. Walk down Main Street and stop at the shops, or follow your nose to North Country Brewing, featuring fine cuisine and home-brewed beer that attracts diners from as far away as Canada. Sample the 99-cent breakfast at the down-home Camelot Restaurant. Or skip up the block to Ginger Hill Restaurant for a cocktail and dinner.
Bill Sonntag, a long-time resident and member of the non-profit Slippery Rock Development, envisions new businesses catering to hikers and daycationers. “We’re open for business and fun,” he said. “Our location to the nearby outlet mall in Grove City adds a 135-store complex to our attractive destination. We are a growing community, as homeowners want a rural location with suburban amenities.”
Slippery Rock’s downtown area now has a picturesque new look. It’s still the same small, friendly town, but in the past few years, community leaders, artists and developers have revitalized its appearance. As a result, downtown – now known as The Village at Slippery Rock – has new sidewalks, street lights, benches, parking and a Gazebo plus places to eat, drink, shop, and stay. Landscaping and art beautify the area with murals, sculptures, parks and waterfalls.
All of these improvements have revved up downtown business activity and enhanced its economic potential. Walk down Main Street and stop at the shops, or follow your nose to North Country Brewing, featuring fine cuisine and home-brewed beer that attracts diners from as far away as Canada. Sample the 99-cent breakfast at the down-home Camelot Restaurant. Or skip up the block to Ginger Hill Restaurant for a cocktail and dinner.
Welcome to The Rock …
And of course, the town is just a pebble toss away from The Rock — Slippery Rock University — which brings additional cultural opportunities and business vitality to our community. The university sponsors a year-long performing arts series, the Kaleidoscope arts festival each spring, and many music, dance, theater and other arts events for visitors. Each year is punctuated by street fairs, parades, student jazz ensembles playing on sidewalks, and fun activities for all ages.
An important thing that’s happened in the last decade is there is a much greater awareness that the university and community are forever intertwined. The University’s approximately 1,000 faculty and staff and 8,700 students also are a source of both patrons for local businesses and potential employees.
An important thing that’s happened in the last decade is there is a much greater awareness that the university and community are forever intertwined. The University’s approximately 1,000 faculty and staff and 8,700 students also are a source of both patrons for local businesses and potential employees.
Parks & arts
**As you approach the North Country Brewery on Main Street this mural welcomes you to Slippery Rock. It was designed and created by local artist Sean Swihart of Swihart Art funded by North Country Brewing , Venango Arts Council and Slippery Rock Development.
Slippery Rock’s revitalized downtown area boasts an array of parks and art installations.
Slippery Rock’s revitalized downtown area boasts an array of parks and art installations.
From I-79 -- Need a new picture
Entering the Borough from I-79, you are welcomed by a pair of natural rock waterfalls, announcing THE VILLAGE AT SLIPPERY ROCK in stone. This waterfall is part of the Gateway Park, where you can sit on benches, relax and talk with friends. The Gazebo is the place for events, music and ceremonies and is a welcoming place to sit and meet with friends. Decorated for the Christmas holidays, it attracts visitors with its illuminated cap at the top and twinkling lights.
Other murals in the Village include work by the Slippery Rock University Art Club. One is a painting on all four sides of a small, concrete block building — the Dominion Gas House. This structure is one of the first things you see as you enter the downtown area. It is repainted every few years and is a rotating art display of local talent.
Roxy Park
Roxy Park is a flower-filled walkway linking South Main Street to the Entrance parking lot. Formerly the site of the Roxy Theatre, this park now is a restful passageway that offers various delights, depending on the season.
Roxy Park is the home of James Myford’s water sculpture. Mr. Myford, designed this twelve-foot high cast aluminum sculpture of towering water especially for this site, and it is his first ever aluminum piece that incorporates flowing water. Named, Partnerships to commemorate the spirit of the Town and University, it flows spring, summer and fall.
The nearby Historical Mural by muralist Robert Qualters and local high school students tells the story of how Slippery Rock got its name. Over twenty-eight feet long and eight feet high and painted on several separate panels, this mural depicts local history as well as spots of historic interest.
A 2009’s Kaleidoscope Festival art project is by artist Edward Grout — an eighteen foot high mosaic mural of glass tiles and stones, depicting the meandering Slippery Rock Creek. It was done cooperatively with student and community volunteers, and has been installed on one end of SRU’s Extended Learning Center.
Roxy Park is the home of James Myford’s water sculpture. Mr. Myford, designed this twelve-foot high cast aluminum sculpture of towering water especially for this site, and it is his first ever aluminum piece that incorporates flowing water. Named, Partnerships to commemorate the spirit of the Town and University, it flows spring, summer and fall.
The nearby Historical Mural by muralist Robert Qualters and local high school students tells the story of how Slippery Rock got its name. Over twenty-eight feet long and eight feet high and painted on several separate panels, this mural depicts local history as well as spots of historic interest.
A 2009’s Kaleidoscope Festival art project is by artist Edward Grout — an eighteen foot high mosaic mural of glass tiles and stones, depicting the meandering Slippery Rock Creek. It was done cooperatively with student and community volunteers, and has been installed on one end of SRU’s Extended Learning Center.
From Rt. 8
Coming into downtown from Route 8 is an eight-foot tall boulder announcing THE VILLAGE AT SLIPPERY ROCK. An entrance park with benches and landscaping surrounds the boulder
Urban and rural
Just fifty miles by interstate from the urban life of Pittsburgh, but nestled in the natural beauty of northern Butler County, Slippery Rock is surrounded by scenic and wildlife areas. It will be a trailhead for the North Country National Scenic Trail which spans seven states. In addition to hiking and biking, area visitors enjoy boating, fishing, hunting, rock climbing and visiting historic sites such as the Old Stone House and McConnell’s Mill. Clusters of Amish farms are just a few miles away, and both visitors and residents enjoy purchasing homemade jams, baked goods, quilts and woodcrafts.
Yes, Virginia, there really is a Slippery Rock …
Why does the label ‘Town Known ‘Round the World’ fit Slippery Rock to a tee? For some reason, the quirky name appeals to people. A business traveler from California once visited because he had heard the name and wanted to see the town and university. Actor Martin Sheen did the same thing. And announcers in college football stadiums from coast to coast still include Slippery Rock University scores at the end of their half-time reports. Some people even think that the town is fictional — like Brigadoon — only appearing every football season.
Amy loves Mike …
“The Slippery Rock name brings people in,” said Herb Burger of Slippery Rock Development, Inc, the nonprofit group which has spearheaded downtown improvements. “And we are using this to become a visitor’s destination.”
Future plans for boosting tourism include restoring Rock Falls Park, a 15-acre recreational area 1.5 miles south of town along Slippery Rock Creek. Once a thriving amusement park with a swimming pool and guest cottages, the property recently was purchased by two local residents. “They’re hoping to restore it as a recreation center with a flourishing swimming hole, carousel and canoe dock – a family entertainment area,” Slippery Rock Mayor Ken Harris reported. The creek is open for swimming and remnants of the old pool, carousel, roller skating rink and custard stand add to its historical intrigue. Even the trees testify to the former summer getaway, with a carving in one trunk that reads, “Amy loves Mike.”
Future plans for boosting tourism include restoring Rock Falls Park, a 15-acre recreational area 1.5 miles south of town along Slippery Rock Creek. Once a thriving amusement park with a swimming pool and guest cottages, the property recently was purchased by two local residents. “They’re hoping to restore it as a recreation center with a flourishing swimming hole, carousel and canoe dock – a family entertainment area,” Slippery Rock Mayor Ken Harris reported. The creek is open for swimming and remnants of the old pool, carousel, roller skating rink and custard stand add to its historical intrigue. Even the trees testify to the former summer getaway, with a carving in one trunk that reads, “Amy loves Mike.”