Furnace Run Park
FACILITY: Furnace Run Nature Center
Address: 2244 Lindsay Lot Road
Location: Shippensburg, PA 17257 (Southampton Township, Franklin County)
E-MAIL: NatureCenter@Shippensburgparkandrec.org
PHONE: (717)-230-7101
Ext 1 — building, Alyssa Good (Nature Center Coordinator)
Ext 2 — Park & Rec Office, Staci Wickard (Admin Assistant)
Ext 3 — SCPRA Director, Josh Mitchell (Park & Rec Director)
Hours: Staffed Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday (OR by appointment
Activities: Programs, Events, Trails within Park + Rentals
Details:
Furnace Run Park, located at 2244 Lindsay Lot Road, was purchased in 2019, by Southampton Township Franklin County. Up until 2017, the site was the location of about 23 acres of active sand quarries — with those features still serving as eye-catching geologic landscapes within the 226 acres that encompass the park. The parcel of land is at the base of South Mountain, and is connected to the Michaux State Forest (and not far from the Appalachian Trail). This vision of this property is the serve as a nature park.
The Township has built a 2,800 square building known as the Nature Center. This facility is set to open sometime in early 2025 and will be operated by our Park & Recreation staff.
A Nature Coordinator will be hired to work out of the building, aiding with programs, rentals, events, and other community offerings. The SCPRA’s Park & Rec Director will serve as the main point of contact for operations and maintenance within the immediate area of the new building — which is located right in the heart of the park — as well as the trail system.
That’s right! There are trails and plenty of outdoor related adventure that can, and will, take place at Furnace Run Park. In fact, the intentions are to shy away from the traditional park scene with playgrounds and sports fields to provide more of a passive recreation experience.
Some people have been enjoying this area for years, and already understand it’s peacefulness and how it can allow you to escape into a world of exploration.
As the new Nature Center opens and this park begins to see more regular visitors we hope you grow to appreciate the wildlife, hiking, and environmental aspects of all it has to offer.
Be on the lookout for programming and other activities!
If you have questions please contact naturecenter@shippensburgparkandrec.org or call the Nature Center Building at 717.230.7101.
More information can be provide by reaching the SCPRA Office at (717) 530-0261. *The SCPRA Director can be reached at director@shippensburgparkandrec.org
List Of Programming in 2025:
Tuesday, April 29th for Haulin’ Pollen — A Kids Pollinator Workshop
Monday, May 19th for An Eventful Journey: Spring Migration
Wednesday, June 11th for Nature Journaling (Ages 4-7)
Saturday, June 14th for Nature Journaling (All Ages)
Open House Event
Wednesday, June 25th for Nature Journaling (Ages 8-12)
Tuesday, July 22nd for Moth Night! (9pm-11pm)
Saturday, August 16th for Intro to Backpacking Workshop
Tuesday, September 30th for An Eventful Journey: Fall Migration
Thursday, October 9th for Stained Glass Workshop (Fall Theme)
Wednesday, December 3rd for Stained Glass Workshop (Winter Theme)
Register for programming at: https://shipparkrec.recdesk.com/Community/Program
1st EVER Class HELD!
April 29, 2025
Haulin’ Pollen — A Kids Pollinator Workshop from 6:00pm-7:00pm
Older Reference Material
Story Board:
Click here to learn more about Furnace Run Park
To view a recording of the February 18, 2021 meeting please visit:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_flVtx8xbFQ
To view a recoding of the December 10, 2020 meeting please visit: https://youtu.be/70QRdbn0kLk