Pictured: Sixth Ward Park & Wading Pool

Summer Playgrounds & Wading Pools Program

June 9 – August 1 | Monday – Friday

(Closed June 19 and July 4)

We look forward to seeing you at one of our SIX pools!

The Summer Playgrounds & Wading Pools program is a FREE, 8-week drop-in program for youth ages 6-13. Free lunch is served at 11:30 a.m. for all children 18 and under. Wading pools open at each site at 12 p.m. so kids can cool off from the summer heat.

Children ages 6-13 are welcome to use the wading pool. Children ages 5 & under must have a parent or guardian in the water with them. Children 3 & under must wear a little swimmers baby diaper. A Lancaster Rec supervisor visits each playground at least once each day.

The Summer Playgrounds & Wading Pools program keeps the following schedule:

  • 11:30 a.m. – Playgrounds open / Lunch is served to all children 18 and under
  • 12 p.m. – Wading pools open
  • 3-3:30 p.m. – Wading pools close for a break, snack is served to all children 18 and under
  • 3:30-4:30 p.m – Wading pools are open

We ask that you please register your child on your first visit to the Summer Playgrounds & Wading Pools program. Please be respectful of our playground leaders and follow the program rules. Please note that smoking is not permitted at any of our playgrounds.

If you are age 18+ and looking for a part-time summer job, we are hiring Summer Playgrounds & Wading Pools staff. Please complete an application and email it to Jack at jbingeman@LancasterRec.org or drop off at the Lancaster Rec Center between 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday – Friday.

Locations and Availability

The Summer Playgrounds & Wading Pools program is open:
Monday – Friday, June 9 – August 1, from 11:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

  • Buchanan Park - Buchanan and Race Avenues
  • Culliton Park – Farnum and Water Streets
  • Reservoir Park – East Orange and Reservoir Streets
  • King Elementary School – South Duke Street
  • Rodney Park – Third and Crystal Streets
  • Sixth Ward Park – Hamilton and East Ross Streets

Additional Details

Help your child stay healthy, happy, and energized all summer long!

The Summer Playgrounds & Wading Pools program is not a babysitting service. Children are free to come and go as they please. We are not responsible if your child leaves the playground without your permission. Playground leaders remain at the playground only until closing time. Leaders will leave at closing time, even if children have not been picked up.

The playground closes during severe weather as structures on the playground do not provide adequate protection.

Free Summer Meals for Kids & Teens – Summer 2025

June 9 – August 8
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The Lancaster Recreation Commission is proud to offer free summer meals to children and teens (18 and under) through the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP), funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Meals will be available Monday through Friday at locations throughout Lancaster City while school is out.
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No registration or ID is required – just show up! All children and teens are welcome to enjoy nutritious meals at no cost.
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To find the summer meal site closest to you, please call us at 717-392-2115 or email info@LancasterRec.org.

Additional SFSP Information: 

In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.
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Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.
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To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form (AD-3027), found online at https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/ad-3027.pdf, and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide all of the information requested in the form.
Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:
  • Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
    1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410
  • Fax: (202) 690-7442
  • Email: program.intake@usda.gov
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

Registration

As a parent or guardian, you must register your children for the Summer Playgrounds & Wading Pools program using our registration form. You may register at the Lancaster Rec office prior to the summer program’s opening day, or at any of the playgrounds after opening day. General rules for the children to follow, consequences of rules violation and inclement weather rules are provided at registration. All children must be registered before they can attend the Summer Playgrounds & Wading Pools program.

If you have questions concerning the program, contact Jack at jbingeman@LancasterRec.org or at 717-392-2115 x129.

For fastest registration processing, please complete the registration form on-site at your preferred wading pool.  Electronic or emailed registrations may take up to 2 days for processing. 

Registration Form, Rules and Waiver Haga clic aquí para la versión en español.