Artistic Ponds and Water Features in Westmont, PA to Elevate Your Outdoor Living

Tucked high above the river valleys, Westmont homeowners think a lot about water: heavy rain on a hillside yard, soggy low spots, or a plain, underused patch of lawn that could be so much more. Thoughtful ponds and water features turn those problem areas into assets. A well-designed koi pond, bubbling stream, or disappearing fountain can help manage runoff, soften hard edges, and create the kind of relaxing outdoor space that actually gets used. In a shady yard under those famous elms, water features add sparkle and sound without fighting the tree canopy. On brighter lots near the park, they become a focal point for patios, fire pits, and gardens. Done right, your water feature looks like it belonged on the hilltop all along.

Before the Johnstown Flood of 1889, the Yoder Hill area that would become Westmont was mostly farms reached by steep, muddy roads. After the disaster, the Cambria Iron Company planned a safer hilltop suburb for its managers and commissioned landscape architect Charles Miller to lay out “Tiptop,” later renamed Westmont. To connect the new community with downtown, the company built the Johnstown Inclined Plane in 1890–1891, giving residents a quick ride between the valley and the ridge. Westmont was incorporated as a borough on June 13, 1892, carved from Upper and Lower Yoder townships. Over time it grew into a quiet, tree-lined town known for large historic homes and strict limits on commercial development. The Westmont Historic District, with its early 20th-century architecture, was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1995. Today, Westmont is especially famous for the allée of American elms along Luzerne Street, considered the last cathedral-arched elm boulevard of its kind in the United States. You can learn more on the Westmont Borough government site and its Wikipedia page.

Top 10 Attractions in and around Westmont

1. Stackhouse Park – A 277-acre wooded ravine right off Luzerne Street with more than seven miles of hiking and biking trails, picnic pavilions, and year-round events.

2. Luzerne Street American Elm Allée – Drive or stroll beneath nearly 200 carefully maintained American elms forming a dramatic green tunnel, often cited as the longest continuous stand of American elms in the country.

3. Johnstown Inclined Plane – One of the world’s steepest vehicular inclines, climbing from downtown Johnstown to its upper station in Westmont with an observation deck, visitor center, and sweeping views of the valleys below.

4. Westmont Rec Ridge – A local recreation area on the hilltop featuring open space, walking routes, and access to some of Westmont’s best overlooks and wooded edges.

5. Grandview Cemetery / Plot of the Unknown – A vast historic cemetery overlooking Johnstown, including the “Plot of the Unknown,” the resting place of 777 unidentified victims of the 1889 Johnstown Flood.

6. Heritage Discovery Center – An engaging museum complex downtown that explores immigration, steelmaking, and local culture, and also houses the Johnstown Children’s Museum.

7. Johnstown Flood Museum – Located in a former library building, this museum tells the story of the 1889 flood through exhibits, film, and artifacts, highlighting both tragedy and recovery.

8. Peoples Natural Gas Park – A 3.5-acre riverfront park and concert venue that hosts the AmeriServ Flood City Music Festival and other events, with great views of the Stone Bridge and the Incline.

9. Sargent’s Stadium at the Point – Historic downtown ballpark at the confluence of the rivers, home to the AAABA baseball tournament and summer collegiate team the Johnstown Mill Rats.

10. Central Park, Downtown Johnstown – The city’s central square, just down the hill, hosting community events, markets, and seasonal celebrations in the heart of downtown.

We build ponds and water features for all Westmont ZIP codes and nearby communities, including 15905, Southmont, Elim, Johnstown, Conemaugh, Dale, Ferndale, Oakland, Belmont, East Conemaugh, Geistown, and beyond.

These areas combine rich history, welcoming neighborhoods, and abundant outdoor activities—making Westmont a wonderful place to call home or visit.