Park Forest Village, PA

Park Forest Village was developed in the 1950s as a quiet, tree-filled neighborhood designed around the area's natural rolling hills. Builder J. Alvin Hawbaker laid out the community in 1956 with curving roads, mature oak trees, and peaceful cul-de-sacs. Today, it remains one of the most established and desirable residential areas around State College. Spanning parts of both Patton and Ferguson townships just west of North Atherton Street, the neighborhood offers a relaxed suburban feel with a quick commute across the Centre Region.

Schools and outdoor recreation form the heart of the community. Park Forest Elementary and Park Forest Middle School sit directly across from each other on School Drive, right next to athletic fields, playgrounds, and the popular neighborhood pool. Nearby, Green Hollow Park offers shaded walking trails that connect directly into surrounding residential streets. Running errands is simple with grocery stores and shopping centers along North Atherton, while regular CATA bus stops throughout the village provide a convenient ride to downtown State College and the Penn State campus.

Homebuyers will find a mix of well-maintained mid-century ranches, split-levels, and traditional two-story homes, often set on spacious, wooded lots. Because the village crosses the boundary between Patton and Ferguson townships, local taxes and municipal services depend on your specific address, though the entire neighborhood is zoned for the State College Area School District. Residents living near School Drive enjoy easy morning walks to classes and the pool, while homes tucked deeper into the neighborhood offer quiet streets and plenty of privacy.