Catherine Long donated a seventy-four acre tract of land to the city of Lancaster in 1900, for use as a year-round, day resort for all to enjoy. Families picnic and play in the park, couples enjoy the ambience, and workout enthusiasts can do a round on the fitness trail. The tunnel path to the Park City shopping mall is clean, paved, and a wall blocks the railroad tracks.
In spring, the three-acre lake is framed by blooming cherry, pear, and magnolia trees. Fountains in the center sparkle with rainbows in the sun. Weeping willows grace the outer banks and maple and oak trees provide shaded benches for relaxing. A small dock provides easy fishing (catch and release) for seniors and young children. Take a stroll around the lake, tossing bread cubes into the water for fish and ducks. A white gazebo on the island plays host to weddings and everyone is welcome to watch.
The Kid’s Place Playground is a large, wooden maze with tunnels, slides, bridges, lookout posts, and swings, providing hours of fun. Across from the playground lies a petting zoo with goats, donkeys, peacocks, chickens, and lamas. The zoo is open during the summer months, but animals are visible other times of the year. There are many other smaller playgrounds throughout the park.
To kick off the summer season, the Sertoma Club cooks 33,000 chicken halves for the World’s Largest Chicken Barbeque, according to the Guinness Book of Records. Volunteers coat the chicken with a secret sauce, then place them on long grills. Juice drips from the chicken, sizzling on the hot coals, creating that unforgettable barbeque aroma. Supplies for the dinners are donated by corporate sponsors and include chicken half, chips, applesauce, roll, beverage, ice cream, M-azing bar, and a Rice Krispy treat. This event raises funds to add new amenities, beautification, upkeep of the grounds, and feed for the animals. The barbeque is always the third Saturday in May.
The end of summer is celebrated with the Labor Day weekend Arts and Crafts Festival. Profits from the festival provide a free, summer-long concert series for the community. Concert goers gather early to play frisbee or other yard games on the grass hill opposite the amphitheater. Bring a picnic basket or buy food from one of the stands. As the hill fills with people, lawn chairs, and blankets its time for the performers to take center stage. Other events held at the park are an Independence Day fireworks display, and a fall Country Music Fest.
Long’s Park is the perfect spot for reunions or company picnics. Reserve one of three large pavilions or for smaller gatherings there are an abundance of picnic tables and charcoal grills. A snack bar is located in the center of the park, just below the tennis courts.
The park is located off Route 30 at the Harrisburg Pike / Park City interchange. For more information check Longs Park.