Rader Park stands as a cornerstone of our church’s commitment to Environmental Advocacy.
Located At: 1899 Apostles Way, Lancaster, PA 17603
Hours: Sunrise to sunset
Accessible to persons with disabilities.
Rader Park is a beautiful, 20-acre outdoor space open to the entire community—a place to walk, play, reflect, and connect with nature. With scenic walking trails, a peaceful pond, a playground, and pavilions, the park is designed for everyone to enjoy. Rooted in our commitment to caring for creation, Rader Park is a space where faith and environmental stewardship come together. Whether you’re looking for a quiet retreat, a place for family fun, or a scenic spot to gather with friends, we invite you to explore and experience all that Rader Park has to offer!
Picnics, Events, & More at Rader Park
Looking for a picturesque setting for your next gathering?
Our Schellenberger Pavilion, nestled in the heart of Rader Park, offers an ideal space for church picnics, birthday celebrations, family reunions, and more!
With seating for up to 80 guests, our pavilion features a spacious covered roof, 10 picnic tables, and access to two propane grills (propane not included). Adjacent to the pavilion, a playground adds to the fun for children. During the summer, a porta-potty is also available for park visitors’ convenience. To reserve this charming venue for your event, simply complete our Facility Use Paperwork and submit it via email, mail, or drop-off during office hours (Monday-Thursday, 9 AM – 1PM)
Immerse yourself in tranquility amidst the lush surroundings of our Pine Grove, complete with serene ambiance and convenient amenities, including a rentable fire pit!
Add warmth and ambiance to your gathering with our fire pits, perfect for roasting marshmallows, sharing stories, and creating unforgettable memories with loved ones. To reserve our fire pits, simply fill out our Facility Use Paperwork. *Please note that all fire pit rentals require a signed Campfire Procedure Form to ensure safety and compliance.
Summer Programs at Rader Park
COA hosts an annual Wacky Wednesday literacy program for toddlers and young children each summer, featuring adult story readers. More information for the upcoming 2025 Wacky Wednesday schedule and theme will be available this Spring!
Furthermore, organizations such as Apostles Preschool and various nonprofits utilize the park for their summer camps, ranging from a week to a month in duration. Interested in hosting your own summer camp? View our Facility Use Paperwork.
Seeds of Hope Gardens
The Apostles Garden, also known as Seeds of Hope, sprouted in 2012 and has flourished since. Spanning an acre and a half, this thriving garden yields fresh produce for sale on Tuesdays and Fridays, with a Bounty Table offering veggies on Sunday mornings. Surplus harvests, totaling around 3,000 pounds annually, are shared with local food banks and missions, spreading abundance throughout our community.
Beyond sustenance, the garden serves as an educational resource for local schoolchildren and day campers, fostering a deeper understanding of food origins. To keep our garden thriving, we rely on dedicated volunteers for planting, weeding, and harvesting. If you have a green thumb and a passion for giving back, consider joining our gardening team.
Fishing in Rader Park
Escape the hustle and bustle and reel in some tranquility at our serene pond in Rader Park!
Whether you’re a seasoned angler or just looking to unwind with a bit of catch & release fishing, our stocked pond offers the perfect setting. Best of all, it’s free for everyone to enjoy year-round! Remember to tread lightly and respect the natural beauty around you, and don’t forget, hooks must be barbless. Questions? Reach out to our property manager, Eric MacLaren, at (717) 392-5718 ext. 8214.
More About Rader Park
In recent years, Church of the Apostles UCC has transformed its surrounding landscape into a vibrant community park. It began with the planting of over 100 trees, including memorial trees dedicated to beloved members. These trees now form an elegant aleé of hardwoods leading to a secluded campfire area, bordered by evergreens that provide privacy from the nearby road. The park features a serene pond, teeming with fish and visited by frogs and turtles.
As the park evolved, members collaborated to build walking trails and gazebos, offering rest spots and scenic viewpoints. A spacious pavilion, completed in 2007, hosts outdoor worship services and church picnics, while playground equipment entertains young visitors. A butterfly garden, established in the last five years, attracts beneficial insects, adding to the park’s biodiversity.
In 2012, the community expanded its efforts with the creation of a vegetable garden spanning an acre and a half. Members tended to the garden, yielding a bountiful harvest sold to support local nonprofit organizations. Over two tons of vegetables were donated to residential missions, while surplus produce was preserved for winter soup sales, enriching both the community and the church’s outreach efforts.
