Lititz Springs Park now allows only limited event use, and large public events are tightly restricted because the park is focusing on restoration, preservation, and long-term ground care. Standard rentals still exist, but every event must follow park rules, and some larger events also need Lititz Borough approval.
For event hosts, the park is best treated like a private venue with fixed rules, not an open public festival space. Lititz Springs Park is a private park owned by the Lititz Moravian Congregation and maintained by the Churches of Lititz for public use, and the park says it depends on rentals and donations rather than public funding.
Current Event Policy
The biggest update is the park’s shift away from large events. In August 2025, the park board announced that no large events would be held on the property beginning in 2026 because of a restoration project meant to protect the park’s historical character and long-term health. The park’s own explanation says very large gatherings can damage grass, compact soil, weaken roots, and create drainage problems that take years to recover.
That change matters for anyone planning a concert, festival, market, or large community gathering. The park is still open for smaller gatherings and rentals, but the old assumption that any event can be added to the schedule no longer fits the current policy. Event planning now has to start with whether the activity is small enough to be allowed and whether it fits the park’s preservation goals.
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What Can Still Be Hosted
Lititz Springs Park still offers rentable spaces for approved events. The park lists pavilions, gazebos, and the band shell as rental facilities, which shows that organized gatherings are still possible when they fit the park’s rules. The rental pages also describe these spaces as suitable for weddings, church services, theater performances, photoshoots, and other smaller functions.
The park also says pavilions can be used if they are unoccupied, and visitors may rent them to secure the space for the day. That means casual use and reserved use both still exist, but a reserved rental has priority over a shared public visit.
Rules Every Event Host Must Follow
All rentals are full day rentals from dawn to dusk. That rule matters because it sets the time window for setup, the event itself, and cleanup. The park also says all facilities have electricity, and each pavilion has a small camp grill, but charcoal is not provided and coals must be fully out before leaving.
Alcohol is not allowed in the park. Games of chance are also not allowed. These are clear event restrictions, and they apply to rentals as well as casual park use. If an event involves fundraising games, raffles tied to gambling, or alcohol service, the organizer must plan around the park’s ban rather than treat it as a normal venue exception.
Parking is also controlled. The rental form says parking must stay in the parking lots unless approval is granted in advance, no vehicles may be parked in enclosed areas, access gates are opened only by prior arrangement, bridges are not vehicle safe, and no cars may be driven on the grass. This is one of the most important practical rules for hosts because it affects loading, guest arrival, vendor setup, and teardown.
Hosts must also protect the grounds. Park staff must grant permission before any stakes are driven into the ground because of underground wiring. That rule affects tents, signs, banners, canopies, and temporary event equipment. It also means setup plans should be approved before event day, not decided on site.
The park also requires damage responsibility to sit with the contracted party. Trash must go into the containers provided, and moved tables must be returned to their original places. These are simple rules, but they are important because the park relies on careful use to keep the grounds clean and open.
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Approval, Insurance, and Permit Rules
All commercial or for-profit activities need prior approval from the Park Board. The park says requests should be sent at least one month in advance, and approved activities require a Certificate of Liability Insurance naming Lititz Springs Park, Inc. as additional insured. Rental fees may also apply depending on the area used.
Large public events need more than park approval. The park’s regulations say large public events require additional permits from Lititz Borough. That means an organizer must check both the park’s internal rules and the borough’s event process before moving forward. In practice, this makes event planning a two-step process, with park permission on one side and borough approval on the other.
The park also says no one under 18 may sign a rental agreement. Reservations can be made up to 365 days in advance, and cancellation rules are strict because rental payments are not refunded if the event is cancelled. Rentals may be rescheduled up to 365 days later, otherwise the payment is treated as a tax-free donation. The park also gives first consideration for yearly reservations if the reservation clerk is contacted by January 5.
Event Spaces at a Glance
| Space | Fee | Best use | Capacity or note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boy Scout Pavilion | $125 per day | Small group gatherings | About 60 people |
| Reedy Pavilion | $150 per day | Mid-size gatherings | About 160 people, attached to snack stand |
| Bortz Pavilion | $200 per day | Larger family or community events | About 300 people, largest pavilion |
| Harnley Pavilion | $100 per day | Small gatherings | About 50 people |
| Oehme Gazebo | $300 per day | Wedding ceremonies | Near the front of the park, with lawn space |
| Beck Band Shell | $350 per day | Concerts, church services, theater | Designed for outdoor performances |
| Small Gazebo | $75 per day | Small weddings and photoshoots | Best for smaller functions |
This table shows an important pattern. The park still supports planned gatherings, but its rental options are geared toward modest, controlled, and ground-friendly use. The listed spaces fit family events, ceremonies, church programs, and other limited activities far better than large festivals or heavy-foot-traffic events.
Timing, Access, and Site Rules
The park is open dawn to dusk, with adjusted hours during events. The FAQs also say there is no thru-traffic in the park starting in 2025, and the two parking lots are accessed from North Broad Street and Maple Street. That matters for event hosts because guest flow, vendor access, and emergency planning must match the current traffic pattern.
Parking is free, but it is for park use only. The park also notes that most paths are handicap accessible and that restrooms include handicap stalls. Organizers should still think through access needs early, especially if the event expects older guests, wheelchair users, or equipment that needs unloading support. The rental form says groups should tell staff about accessibility needs in advance, including gate opening or unloading help for wheelchairs.
Pets are allowed, but they must be leashed at all times. The park also bans disorderly conduct, firearms, bicycles, rollerblades, scooters, and skateboards on footpaths, political activity or campaigning, solicitation or commercial sales without approval, littering, and wading or swimming in Lititz Run or other water features. Those rules apply to event guests too, so hosts should communicate them clearly before the event starts.
Planning Checklist for Organizers
An event at Lititz Springs Park should begin with a simple question, whether the activity is small enough for the park’s current policy. If the answer is yes, the next step is to choose the correct rental space, confirm the date, and check whether any commercial use, structure, or large public element needs separate approval.
After that, the organizer should confirm the full-day rental window, parking setup, trash plan, ground protection rules, and insurance needs. If the event is commercial or open to the public in a larger way, the organizer should contact the Park Board early and also check with Lititz Borough for any additional permit requirements.
For direct park questions about regulations, pavilion rentals, or general issues, the park lists its contact email as lspark@ptd.net and its Welcome Center phone number as 717 626 8981.
