Central Park, named for its centralized location in the county, is the largest of the county’s parks, covering 544 acres. Central Park is located on the southern edge of Lancaster City in West Lampeter Township.

Of the county’s six parks, Central receives the most visitors because of its convenient location and also because it has more facilities and recreational features than the other parks.

Central Park has six pavilions, which can be rented for private functions.

The County Pool is located in Central Park and alone receives more than 40,000 visitors each summer.

All of the County Parks make ideal locations for weddings, but Central Park’s Garden of Five Senses is the most popular. With its beautiful array of flowering plants and trees and water fountain, this garden lives up to its name, stimulating all the senses.

Skateboarders and inline skaters enjoy Central Park’s Skate Park, the only one of its kind in the county. This free skate park is open year round, weather permitting, and has features for beginner and advanced skaters.

Central Park also has Garden Rental Plots, which are available from April through October. Gardeners can grow vegetables and flowers in these plots. And, organic plots are also available.

Of course, Central Park also has wonderful trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding. These trails meander through fields, woods, and along creeks.

Although the Central Park closes at sunset, campers can spend the night in the Mill Creek Camping Area. This ten-acre area is for tent camping only but features fresh water, portable toilets, and fire rings and grills.

Central Park is rich in history. Native Americans from the Susquehannock tribe once lived in this park. In fact, a burial site is located in the park along Golf Road. It is marked with a plaque, and several artifacts from the site are on display in the Environmental Center.

Naturalists from the Environmental Center offer environmental and outdoor education programs all year round to the public and to private groups. To learn more about the Lancaster County Department of Parks and Recreation's seasonal programs click on the Wanderings Events Calendars: Quarterly Program Lists located on the left navigation bar.

And, a rather unusual feature for any park is Central Park's Shuts Environmental Library, a lending library with more than 3,000 books and videos about nature and the environment.

Whatever your favorite outdoor activities may be, you can enjoy them in Central Park!