Longs’ Park is a treasured landmark for Lancastrians, and has hosted hundreds of thousands of families since it was given to the City of Lancaster by Catherine Long back in 1900.

The gorgeous 80-acre city park, located on the northwest corner of the city, offers residents and visitors plenty of outdoor activities to participate in such as art and craft festivals, the free summer-long music series, a Sertoma hosted chicken barbecue and fitness related walking trails, tennis courts and playground areas for children.

On the sunniest spring and summer days, you’re likely to discover an immeasurable number of people and families gathering under picnic pavilions for reunions, birthday parties, or a spontaneous picnic.

Whether out on stroll, hand in hand with that special someone around the three-acre lake, taking your child to the petting farm, or dining under the sun with friends and family, there are so many things to enjoy at Long’s Park.

A wonderful attraction to visitors,  and a beautiful landmark destination for the local Lancaster community.

(photos by Amanda)

The danger in all things that become common place or, dare we say, consistent is that we begin to take them for granted. Hot showers. Good music. A strong WiFi signal. Local produce. Opportunity. Good coffee.

Did you catch it?  Did it jump out from the others on the list. Opportunity. I don’t think many of us would classify opportunity on a list of things we take for granted… but I sure got a reality check from one of our students at Heads Up recently when they amazed me with their talent when they had an opportunity to share it.

See, in America we are given freedom and, with freedoms, responsibilities and opportunity.  I am sure I could dig really deep into the nuts and bolts of it all but quite simply it is something not everyone enjoys.  I am not talking about oppressed people in other countries.  Recently my heart was torn for Burmese refugees as I heard their horrific stories of oppression and leaving their families and fleeing their country…simply because they were caught in the same room with 4 other people: a crime carrying a sentence of years in a forced labor camp!  I am moved by their gratitude for what they have and left sleepless at times pondering what they have lost to gain opportunity.

A young girl named Chavela was given the opportunity to sing ‘God Bless America’ at a Barnstormers game for Heads Up. I knew she had been taking some voice lessons with our Artist Mentors and that she had never sang in public before.  I knew that she never had an opportunity to give back to the world what God had given her to share! I was a bit nervous for her and excited her family came to watch.

You can go on our website www.headsuplancaster.org and see her video.  Since you have the freedom to be your own judge, you make the call.  What did I see?  I saw a young girl given opportunity…and she took it and blew the stadium away.  You can even hear them all singing along with her!  I bet they had NO CLUE about who she was or how monumental the occasion… but we all did.

If you struggle with apathy and taking things for granted…like the mere reality of freedom and opportunity that swallows us in this great city, then get some perspective.  Volunteer. Rub shoulders with someone you wouldn’t normally encounter. Talk to the person next to you in line with no agenda but to gain their perspective. Take the bus and ride it in two loops before you get off and cherish the perspectives and the people you meet.

Don’t take your opportunity today for granted.  You may not be granted another opportunity like it.

-Justin Rule
Founder, Executive Director

Coming 2011

A fresh new way for families to look at fun in Lancaster County. A special edition especially for fun!

Lancaster County businesses get your photos ready and reserve your space.  Fig Family is sure to be a hot item !

Title of work: “child”

Who: Sanjay, four year old son of a PCA&D faculty member

Statement/inspiration: “This is the son of one of our faculty members.”