Exploring York City Parks

BY KATIE MAHONEY | Vice President, Marketing & Communications

The City of York is home to 25 park and recreation facilities, each boasting a unique experience for residents and visitors. Whether your interest is history, bird watching, fitness or relaxation, or you are planning a family trip to Downtown York, there is an ideal park for your visit.

HOFFMAN SOFTBALL COMPLEX AND MEMORIAL PARK together is a 72-acre municipal park that includes eight softball fields, four sand volleyball courts, a skate park, batting cages, concessions in the warmer months, picnic areas and pavilions, and ample spectator seating and parking.

500 Rockdale Ave, York PA 17403

Nestled in The Avenues neighborhood, FARQUHAR PARK boasts tennis courts, a paved exercise trail, playgrounds, a band stand, andis across the street from another park, KIWANIS LAKE. Great for all seasons, the large hills make it a popular sledding spot. Kiwanis Lake is home to a heron rookery, a unique feature in an urban environment. In addition to spotting herons and egrets, the water attracts Canadian geese, mallards and domestic duck hybrids. The park is home to the annual William Shaffer Trout Fishing Derby, as well as music festivals and community events throughout the year.

370 N Newberry St, York PA 17404

For those intrigued by history, ARIES PARK is tucked in a commercial and residential neighborhood, and was named after York’s sister city in France as part of a Cold War exchange program. Led by the York Twinning Association, this initiative was to foster a better understanding between nations. The playground includes a unique zip line, as well as benches, tables and pavilions.

E King St & Pattison St, York, PA 17403

PENN PARK is home to many community events including What the Food Trucks festival, Trey & Boo Basketball Classic, and 10,000 Acts of Kindness event. The 200-year-old park is a large green space in the City of York, and popular in the summer months for it’s cooling splashpad water feature.

100 W College Ave, York PA 17401

The City of York provides photos, directions, and a full list of park amenities online: www.yorkcity.org/visitor/ recreation-parks-overview/

BRING ON PLAY (BOP) is a volunteer committee that supports York City's Recreation and Park department. For 14 years, this group has renovated existing parks with new play equipment that is modern, safe and engaging.

“Even though we do a fraction of what we used to do, we never could have completed what we did without the help of many wonderful volunteers and the generous York community over these many years,” shares Joe Stein, with BOP. The group is in the early stages of planning for their 2022 project, Bantz Park on the City's West end.

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