LANCASTER, Pa. — Lancaster County leaders honored their Parks & Recreation team this week.
On Wednesday, County Commissioners were joined by members of the General Services Team, which included Parks & Recreation staff and Park Rangers, in recognizing July as Parks and Recreation Month. Lancaster County manages more than 2,000 acres of parkland over nine county parks, along with trails, sports facilities, the Lancaster County pool, an environmental education center and many other outdoor facilities.
Every year, the commissioners' office said, thousands of people access the county's parks and trails, sign up for an environmental education class, take advantage of camping opportunities and participate in aquatic programs.
"The County's Parks & Recreation team has been recognized both statewide and nationally for programs at the parks, including winning first place for their 'Rescue Ready' program this past year through the Pennsylvania Recreation & Park Society," the commissioners' said in a press release. "The Rescue Ready program recruits, trains and retains lifeguards for the county's pool to ensure that it could remain open for the entirety of the summer.
"In 2022, the County Pool operated on a shortened schedule due to staffing complications. Just two years later, the Parks & Recreation Department's staffing plan has been recognized as the top program in Pennsylvania, and the County Pool recognized as a model across the Commonwealth."
Commissioner Ray D'Agostino said county residents are fortunate to have the Parks & Recreation Department working for them.
"We are so fortunate to have a great Parks system in Lancaster County and an even better team making sure that it remains accessible to residents and visitors," D'Agostino said. "Their recognition at the state and national level is just a small part of what they do each day to serve the residents of the county and provide access to the great outdoor amenities Lancaster has to offer."
