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Township Park · Grantville, PA
H.M. Levitz Memorial Park is a free, 105-acre East Hanover Township park in Grantville, PA — right in our backyard — with nature trails, a bird sanctuary, a playground, and courts for tennis, basketball, and volleyball.
Our take Levitz Park is about 10 minutes north of our shop off I-81 Exit 80 — genuinely in our backyard, and an easy stop on the way to or from a hike along Route 443.
This one's practically a neighbor. Levitz Park sits a few miles from our shop on Route 443, near Fort Indiantown Gap, and it punches well above its weight for a township park. We're glad to point people toward it — not because it's flashy, but because it's the kind of green space the area doesn't always get credit for. Whether you've got kids who need to burn energy, a dog that needs a walk, or you just want to decompress after a long drive, 105 acres gives you room to do it.
The park is named for Herman Maurice Levitz, who left a 105-acre tract to the community; in 1977 his widow donated the property to East Hanover Township so neighbors could benefit from it. That gift has compounded over the decades — today the park includes nature trails (the Omni Stone Trail is a standout), a bird sanctuary, a softball field, tennis, basketball, and volleyball courts, three picnic pavilions, a playground, and the reservable Rustic Lodge (kitchen, fireplace, and seating for around 100). The annual Apple Cider Festival each October is a community staple worth timing a visit around.
A couple of things make this gift feel even more remarkable once you know the backstory. Herman and Mary Levitz ran Globe Outfitters, a clothing store in downtown Lebanon; Herman, who'd been active in community and school planning, died in 1967, and it was Mary who deeded the 105-acre tract to East Hanover Township in 1977. The park didn't actually open until 1980, and it was built up with federal CETA labor, private donations, and roughly half a million dollars in state DCNR money rather than local tax dollars. Mary lived until 2010, so she got to watch about three decades of it take shape. Today that land carries more than four miles of nature trails, a pond, primitive campsites, and an unnamed Swatara Creek tributary along the western edge — enough room that the deer, turkey, and birds it shelters earned it a bird-sanctuary designation.
Hours are sunrise to sunset daily per the official East Hanover Township page — always confirm on their site or call the park office at (717) 865-4938 before visiting, especially around holidays or events.
H.M. Levitz Memorial Park is in Grantville, PA. The map shows both pins — H.M. Levitz Memorial Park and our shop in Grantville — so you can see exactly where it sits relative to us.
Yes — the park is free and open to the public during sunrise-to-sunset hours. The Rustic Lodge and picnic pavilions can be reserved for a fee; contact the East Hanover Township park office at (717) 865-4938 for details.
It's a 105-acre park with nature trails and a bird sanctuary, a playground, a softball field, and tennis, basketball, and volleyball courts, plus three picnic pavilions and the reservable Rustic Lodge. There's room for a quiet walk or an afternoon of recreation.
It's the park's annual community fundraiser, held each October, that helps support park maintenance and programming. Dates and details are posted by East Hanover Township each year.
Yes — the park has primitive campsites, and the Rustic Lodge is reservable for groups, with a kitchen, fireplace, showers, ten bunk beds, bathrooms, and seating for about 100. Fees vary by resident status and whether you're doing a day-use or overnight booking. Call the park office at (717) 865-4938 for current rates and to check availability before you count on a date.
No — alcohol is prohibited throughout the park, so plan a dry gathering. Three picnic pavilions are reservable for a modest township fee; any pavilion that hasn't been pre-rented is first-come, first-served at no charge. Dogs are reportedly welcome on a leash — confirm that policy with the park office before your visit. Call (717) 865-4938 for current pavilion fees and to reserve a spot.
Levitz Park is the centerpiece of an easy Grantville afternoon — burn off some energy on the trails and playground, then keep the rest of the outing right here in town. A few of our other favorite local stops are minutes away:
A natural first stop for picnic supplies before the park, or fresh produce on the way home — it fits the park's apple-and-cider, farm-fresh feel.
A Grantville winery just minutes away — wind the day down with a relaxed tasting after the trails.
The easy sit-down dinner after a day outdoors, keeping the whole outing in town near I-81 Exit 80.
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Visiting the Hershey area and need a mechanic? NextGen AutoWorks is a family-owned shop in Grantville, about 12 minutes north — we handle auto repair, tires, and PA state inspections. Traveling and something went wrong? Here's what to do if you have car trouble near Hershey — or book an appointment.
Verified via: East Hanover Township — H.M. Levitz Memorial Park (official) · LebTown — H.M. Levitz Park feature · LebTown — Apple Cider Festival 2025 coverage (festival date, attendance, activities) · Visit Lebanon Valley — Levitz Park listing (amenities, Swatara Creek tributary)
H.M. Levitz Memorial Park is a public park we're featuring in our guide — we're not affiliated with East Hanover Township. Details are from official and public sources and were accurate at the time of writing; please confirm current hours and event dates before visiting.