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Recreation
Public Parks within Jacobus
Jacobus Borough is home to three public parks, each offering unique amenities for residents and visitors:
Jacobus Community Park
Located at the south end of JACOBUS BOROUGH, adjacent to the Jacobus Lions Ambulance Club at the intersection of Susquehanna Trail and School Road, this park boasts diverse facilities for your enjoyment. Amenities include:
- Playground Equipment
- Tennis and Basketball Courts
- Large Fields for Play Activities
- A Walking Path
- A Gazebo
- Both Small and Large Pavilions
The pavilions, bathroom building, and kitchen can be reserved for special events and gatherings. For more details and to reserve a date for your family, group, or organization, please contact the Jacobus Municipal Office at (717) 428-1752.
Jacobus Tot-Lot
Located to the left off of Woodland Drive onto Stonewood Drive, the Tot Lot features a fenced area, providing a safe and enjoyable space for children and a relaxing spot for parents. It includes - playground equipment and benches.
Jacobus Nature Park
Situated between E. Greenbriar Drive and Creekwood Drive, the Nature Park is a serene natural area connected to the York County Park Trail. Visitors can often observe deer and other wildlife, especially at certain times of the day. Access the park from E. Greenbriar Drive via the marked grass right-of-way before reaching the cul-de-sac or from Creekwood Drive by turning west onto E. Branch Drive. This entrance includes a parking lot with steps leading down the bank, across a small bridge, and into the park.
Nixon Park
Located in Springfield Township, Nixon Park spans 157 acres of meadow, woodland, and aquatic habitats. Established in 1968, the parkland was donated by the Bob Hoffman family and is named after President Richard M. Nixon. For more information, contact Nixon Park directly at (717) 428-1961 or York County Parks and Recreation at 717-840-7440.
Directions
From JACOBUS BOROUGH, turn west at the traffic signal onto Valley Road. Continue until you reach Nixon Drive on the right at the bottom of a long hill. Turn right onto Nixon Drive, then make a left at the 4-way intersection to stay on Nixon Drive and follow it to Nixon Park.
Features
Hiking Trails
Nixon Park offers over six miles of trails designed primarily for quiet observation of nature. To maintain the park's serene environment, please limit your activities and adhere to park rules—bikes, horses, and pets are not permitted on the trails.
- Old Field Trail: 1.25 Miles
- Bird Hollow Trail: 0.5 Miles
- Cement All Purpose Trail: 0.2 Miles
- Quiet Walk: 0.6 Miles
- Geology Trail: 1 Mile
- Upland Hardwood Trail: 0.7 Miles
Environmental Education Center
The Nature Center within Nixon Park offers a variety of educational displays and activities, including:
- A Working Honeybee Hive
- Live Snake Exhibits
- A Touch Room
- A Bird Observation Window
- A Reference Library
Full-time naturalists are on staff to offer guided nature walks and programs to pre-scheduled groups. To schedule a program for your group, call 717-428-1961. Groups of 10 or more must pre-register. The center is ADA-accessible.
Visitors are welcomed by dramatic artwork and over 180 specimens from 15 different countries upon entering the center. Exhibits feature large dioramas that portray the African veld's wet and dry seasons, the Arctic Circle's permafrost and pack ice, and the serene beauty of the Northwest Territory. These habitats are home to some of the last great populations of wildlife on earth.
Visitors are welcomed by dramatic artwork and over 180 specimens from 15 different countries upon entering the center. Exhibits feature large dioramas that portray the African veld's wet and dry seasons, the Arctic Circle's permafrost and pack ice, and the serene beauty of the Northwest Territory. These habitats are home to some of the last great populations of wildlife on earth.
William Kain York County Park
Explore the natural beauty and recreational opportunities at William Kain York County Park. Home to two stunning lakes, Lake Redman and Lake Williams, the park offers a variety of outdoor activities for visitors of all ages. Whether you enjoy boating, fishing, hiking, or picnicking, the park provides well-maintained facilities and scenic views.
Lake Redman
Lake Redman is located in Springfield Township and York Township and has several access locations.
For boat rentals and access, pavilions, playground equipment, and hiking trails, turn east onto Church Street from N. Main Street in JACOBUS. The access road is on your left on the large right-hand curve after passing Salem Lutheran Church.
For shore fishing and other hiking trails, go north on Main Street through JACOBUS and continue to follow the Susquehanna Trail north to the bottom of the hill, where you will see a parking area on the left-hand side and a dam breast on the right.
More shore fishing and picnic tables are available by continuing east on Church Street, going under the I-83 overpass until you reach the bottom of the next hill. Access to parking areas is available on both the left and right sides of Church Street.
For boat rentals and access, pavilions, playground equipment, and hiking trails, turn east onto Church Street from N. Main Street in JACOBUS. The access road is on your left on the large right-hand curve after passing Salem Lutheran Church.
For shore fishing and other hiking trails, go north on Main Street through JACOBUS and continue to follow the Susquehanna Trail north to the bottom of the hill, where you will see a parking area on the left-hand side and a dam breast on the right.
More shore fishing and picnic tables are available by continuing east on Church Street, going under the I-83 overpass until you reach the bottom of the next hill. Access to parking areas is available on both the left and right sides of Church Street.
Lake Williams
Turn west onto Water Street from N. Main Street, JACOBUS, and follow Water Street until you see the park access road with a yellow gate on the right-hand side. Lake Williams offers boat access, picnic tables, and shore fishing.
Both parks are managed by the County of York. Reservations for the picnic pavilions at Lake Redman may be made by calling York County Parks and Recreation at (717) 840-7440.
Both parks are managed by the County of York. Reservations for the picnic pavilions at Lake Redman may be made by calling York County Parks and Recreation at (717) 840-7440.