On Saturday, July 19, Culliton Park became something more than just a city park, it became a shared experience. Hosted in the heart of Lancaster’s SoWe neighborhood, the second annual Outdoors for All Day brought together neighbors, families, and partners to celebrate what it means to feel welcome in outdoor spaces.
Organized by Let’s Go 1-2-3 in partnership with the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), SoWe, and the City of Lancaster, the event invited the community to gather, move, learn, and connect in the open air. Free and family-friendly, the day offered music, paddling demos, tree scavenger hunts, line dancing, yoga in the park, face painting, and so much more all designed to ensure that everyone, regardless of age or ability, could take part.
Held during both Disability Pride Month and Parks and Recreation Month, the event served as a reminder that access to parks is not just a luxury. It’s a right.
“We believe that everyone has a right to enjoy the outdoors,” said Arlene Marshall-Hockensmith, DCNR’s Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging. “But not everyone has easy access to nature. Events like these help bridge that gap and create spaces where people feel like they belong.”
That sense of belonging was felt throughout the park as music played, kids laughed, and neighbors gathered under shady trees to explore, rest, and play. Local organizations like Aim to Empower, Keystone Trails Association, Lancaster Rec, and Edible Classroom led activities across the park, offering opportunities to learn about nature, movement, and the environment in hands-on ways. DCNR also released its 2025–2029 Outdoor Recreation Plan, Outdoor Places, Shared Spaces, which lays out goals to improve access to outdoor spaces across the state with an emphasis on equity, safety, and climate-conscious design.
For Lancaster residents, Culliton Park’s transformation over the past five years is a point of pride. It reflects what’s possible when residents organize and voice their vision for cleaner, safer, and more welcoming spaces. SoWe, one of the event’s leading partners, has worked closely with the community to add playgrounds, murals, and newly planted trees. The portraits on the nearby Water Street Mission building depict real neighbors, guardians of this shared space.
“This park represents the power of neighbors who show up and speak out,” said Steve Campbell, Director of Public Works for the City of Lancaster. “Outdoor spaces shape how we grow, how we connect, and how we care for one another. They are essential.”
Keisha Scovens, Executive Director of Let’s Go 1-2-3, emphasized the day’s purpose. “We’re here to help people reconnect with nature, with each other, and with the places they call home. Outdoors for All Day is about removing barriers and showing that you don’t need to leave the city to experience the outdoors in meaningful ways.”
With over 30 partners participating, the day reflected a shared effort to make nature more accessible. From paddle demos to community murals, every corner of the park held opportunities to experience something new, and to see public space as something shared.
As Deputy Secretary Claire Jantz of DCNR put it, “These events are more than a celebration, they’re a promise. A promise that we’ll continue working toward outdoor spaces that feel safe, inclusive, and easy to access for every Pennsylvanian.”
Outdoors for All Day may only come once a year, but its message lasts much longer. The outdoors are not just for some of us, they’re for all of us.
We’ll keep moving, exploring, and building spaces where everyone feels welcome. For more photos, visit us on Facebook