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Carlisle Borough Parks & Playgrounds

The inside scoop on all the fun parks and playgrounds in Carlisle Borough!

By Kendra Bradford, publisher of Macaroni KID Carlisle - Shippensburg - Boiling Springs July 12, 2024

Macaroni KID Carlisle's list of all the parks and playgrounds within the Carlisle Borough, plus an interactive map showing exactly where each one is located downtown!






1. Biddle Mission Park 

311 E. North St. Carlisle, PA 17013

A 5 acre park with nearly everything you could want. Featuring a basketball pad, volleyball courts (2 sand, 1 grass), charcoal grills and pavilion rentals, as well as fishing, a fitness trail, labyrinth, playground, and spray pool! Restrooms, a drinking fountain, and electrical outlets are also available. 



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2. Butcher Tot Lot

46 Chestnut Ave. Carlisle, PA 17013

A small 1 acre playground packed full of fun nestled in the heart of downtown. A playground, basketball pad, and picnic tables/benches are available. 





3. Carlisle Community Pool

1236 Franklin St. Carlisle, PA 17013
717-240-6957
(Seasonal Memorial Day - Labor Day)

In addition to the swimming pool, water slides, and wading pool, this park also features a recreational area that includes a lighted pavilion with 8 picnic tables, 2 charcoal grills, basketball, grass volleyball, and 3 shuffleboard courts. Admission to the pool various from $6-$12. See their website for more details. 





4. Cave Hill Nature Center

6 Cave Hill Dr. Carlisle, PA 17013

A 20-acre park featuring various trails and fishing opportunities. There is a steep incline that leads down to the creek where water is deeper (and fishing is permitted). When the water levels are low, you can see the entrance to the limestone cave. Cave exploration and swimming is discouraged and done at your own risk. The trail to and from the water is rugged and steep.





5. Fairground Avenue Linear Park & Skate Spot

413 Fairground Ave. Carlisle, PA 17013

The Fairground Avenue Linear Park comprises two sections - a skate spot and a recreational area. Skaters of all ages and skill levels having fun at the skatepark! The recreational park features an entry plaza, benches, an interactive walking path with swing and glider benches, and a play area with inclusive play elements and sensory play.





6. Forbes Path

203 Meadow Blvd. Carlisle, PA 17013

Forbes Path is a .7 mile long trail that is connected to Valley Meadows Park. Entrances to Forbes Path can be found at Valley Meadows Park, Hillside Dr, and Royer Rd. 





7. Goodyear Park

205 S Bedford St. Carlisle, PA 17013

A 4-acre park featuring multiple ball fields as well as a concession area and a few walking trails. 





8. Heberlig-Palmer Park

131 Lincoln Ave. Carlisle, PA 17013

A small 2-acre park with lots to do! Featuring a Born Learning Trail, amphitheater, playground, multi-purpose field, and a walking track (6.7 laps = 1 mile). There is also a pavilion, charcoal grills, picnic tables, drinking fountain, and electrical outlets available.  




9. LeTort Park

260 E Pomfret St. Carlisle, PA 17013

LeTort Park's playground was recently rebuilt in 2023. A 12-acre park with a beautiful nature trail alongside the LeTort Spring Run (which allows fishing and often has geese and ducks swimming or sunning nearby). There is also a ball field, pickleball courts, volleyball court, multipurpose field, and spray pool. A large pavilion, charcoal grills, drinking fountain, and electrical outlets are also available. The pavilion restroom is typically locked, but there is a portable toilet on site.





10. Lindner Park

629 W. Louther St. Carlisle, PA 17013

This fun little 2-acre park features a playground, Trike Track, Born Learning Trail, and basketball pad. 





11. Memorial Park

149 W. Penn St.

Dogs Prohibited 

Memorial Park is one of the handful of parks with a spray pool! There are also basketball courts and a playground on site. A gazebo, drinking fountain, picnic tables, and electrical outlets are also available. The spray pool operates Memorial Day through Labor Day from 11:30a-7:30p.





12. Mooreland Athletic Area

400 Mooreland Ave. Carlisle, PA 17013

Featuring a 1/4 mile gravel track, a ball field, multipurpose field and tennis courts. There is also a drinking fountain and picnic tables available.





13. Seven Gables Park

3 Giant Ave. Carlisle, PA 17013

A 13-acre park featuring numerous walking trails. Benches and a parking area are also on site.





14. Shaffer Park & Cabin

1649 Spring Rd. Carlisle, PA 17013

An 18-acre park with a cabin available to rent. The cabin features a kitchen, multipurpose room, restroom, and electrical outlets. Also the site of Carlisle Dog Park (membership required).





15. Spahr Tot Lot

231 E. Mulberry Ave. Carlisle, PA 17013

A small 1-acre playground nestled along LeTort Spring Run in the heart of downtown. 





16. Stuart Community Center

415 Franklin St. Carlisle, PA 17013

In addition to all the center offers, they also have an outdoor basketball pad, playground, benches, and picnic tables. Visit their website for more information about the classes and events hosted at the Stuart Community Center. 





17. Thornwald Park

350 Walnut Bottom Rd. Carlisle, PA 17013

A 32-acre park featuring the Carrol J Warrell amphitheater and numerous bike/pedestrian trails. There is also an orienteering course! There is also a gazebo with electrical outlets, a drinking fountain, picnic tables, and a seasonal portable toilet available.




18. Valley Meadows Park

203 Meadows Blvd. Carlisle, PA 17013

Valley Meadows Park is an 18-acre park that features a pavilion, restroom (locked), charcoal grill, electrical outlets, and drinking fountain. There are numerous trails (including Forbes Path), as well as a ball field, basketball course, lacrosse field, multi-purpose fields, and a playground. The Carlisle Pumptrack is also located here.


For pavilion rental information for any of the parks, visit the Carlisle PA website.


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Macaroni Kid Carlisle-Shippensburg-Boiling Springs is a is a free weekly newsletter and website focused on fun family events and information in Carlisle, Shippensburg, and Boiling Springs. We gather together all kinds of local family events and activities each week, and add useful information about classes, family-focused businesses, book and product reviews, recipes, crafts, school and camp guides and more. We proudly serve families in Carlisle, Shippensburg, Newville, Newburg, Boiling Springs, Mt. Holly Springs, Gardners, Orrstown and more.