Long's Park

Long's Park is beautiful, dog friendly and has lots of room for kids to play under trees and on a variety of playgrounds. Also there is a nice pond with a path around and tennis courts, pavilions and a petting zoo. My children found a group of others and played infection tag for almost an hour. They were worn out! The free Sunday evening concert series (pay what you can donations accepted) is always a reason to get together with friends or family and eat at one the many picnic tables, play games, dance and listen to a quality line-up of bands. Buy food from the food trucks, bring a picnic, grill something on the grills provided, or pick something up from Wegmans take-out/made to order across the street from the park. A business often hands out promotional items like frisbees, beach balls, bubbles, or chip clips for example. The bathrooms are usually clean and there is plenty of parking but come early, around 4pm to get a good picnic table and grill spot. It would be great if they did an outdoor movie series or plays...

The Summer Music Series and Fall Art Festival are a precious gem for the Lancaster community. This city respects and appreciates the arts and it is abundant. The Long's Park Amphitheater Foundation programs elevate the music talent equal to metropolitan areas from DC to Boston. Unlike those markets these events are free. Many world acclaimed national and international bands grace the Amphitheater stage. Amazing! The park is an exceptional backdrop for the Fall Art Festival and a blessing to "locals" within 100 miles. Again, talented artists from across the country accept the invitation to participate at this event. Place both of these events on your bucket list but check them off each year if you live in the area and move them up your list if planning a Lancaster visit. If you can, donate to the foundation to help keep these 60-year events around for another generation so your friends and family will have the same experience you had from the stories you will tell them after you visit this...

Long's Park is a wonderful park in a great location with decades of history and memories for those of us who grew up in the area. Almost nowhere else in the country could you find a 4th of July celebration where historic canon were used during a live symphony orchestra playing of Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture - a collection owned by the mayor, no less! Alas, those glorious days are sadly long gone, but there are still wonderful opportunities to make new memories, like at the annual Labor Day Weekend arts and craft festival. This event is highly competitive for the artists and craftsmen to enter and attracts people from all across the country.

Yet even when there is no special event going on, the park is still a lovely place to visit. Lots of great playground areas for kids and picnic areas for the entire family.

This park is a true treasure for everyone fortunate...