Updated: 7/6/26 at 10:30 a.m.

🍎 Food Service is available at Buchanan, Culliton, King, Reservoir, and Sixth Ward.

🛝 Playgrounds are open at Buchanan, Culliton, King, Reservoir, and Sixth Ward.

💦 Wading Pools are open at Buchanan, Culliton, King, Reservoir, and Sixth Ward.

❌ All programming at Rodney is closed at this time, due to maintenance.

Pictured: Sixth Ward Park’s Playground & Wading Pool

Summer Playgrounds & Wading Pools Program

June 8 – July 31 | Monday – Friday*

(Closed Friday, June 19 and Friday, July 3)

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.

Registrations must be completed online using our Digital Registration link.
For questions or assistance, please email chaer@lancasterrec.org or visit the Lancaster Rec Center, Monday–Friday from 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.

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.

Looking for a Part-Time Summer Job? If you are age 16+, have fun being outdoors, and enjoy working with children…we are hiring Summer Playgrounds & Wading Pools staff.  Visit us on Indeed for our updated positions.

Locations and Availability

  • 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 

June 10 – July 31
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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 digital registration form. You may register online 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 Chris at chaer@LancasterRec.org or at 717-392-2115 x142.

 

Playground & Wading Pool Rules Haga clic aquí para la versión en español.