Little Buffalo State Park

100 degrees and I couldn't decide if we should stay home in the a/c or try the park that I went to as a child, Little Buffalo State Park in Perry County. My sister and I decided if it was going to be that hot we might as well go to a pool in the country where it might be cooler. We were right! There was a great breeze and so many different areas of the pool that we were always cool, always moving and having a great time.
The pool was redone about 5 years ago and is probably the largest pool I have ever been to.
It goes up to 5 ft but about half of it is only 1 foot deep so the kids had so much fun crawling, swimming and getting comfortable in the water and I had an easy time keeping an eye on them. This section of the pool also has some mushroom fountains and dumping buckets and is the largest "kiddie pool" ever! We never felt crowded and the kids didn't want to get out.
Two water slides as well as a splash zone make this truly a pool for everyone.
While sitting at the pool you look out over lush green trees and glimpses of the lake. You can find shade under a tree at this park which is pretty rare at most pools in the area. The only downside to this pool is that you aren't allowed to bring in food or drinks. There are about 100 picnic tables under the trees just outside the pool and they also overlook the lake. I think this policy is to help keep the park clean and free from critters, and it was a really clean park.
From Lemoyne it took me 45-50 minutes and was 33 miles away. I took Wertzville Rd to 34 North the entire way until I saw a sign for the park. The state park website gives directions from 322 North. Either way you get there, it is a beautiful park and worth the $5 entrance fee and the drive. If you visit Little Buffalo, please leave me comments and let me know what you thought of it!

Mayfred Lane Playground

I made up the name of this playground based on the street you take to get there and hope a reader will correct me if another name exists.
On South 21st Street in Camp Hill Borough there is a Fiala Field, a Fiala Building and before the street dead ends to the barrier wall of 581, Mayfred Lane. Turn right on this street and at the end there is a small playground. The structure is nearly new and at 9 am was entirely shaded!!
I would estimate that it remains completely shaded until about 11:30 am when it shifts to blazing sunshine. Large pine trees, a picnic table and bench make this a really quiet spot for some morning playtime for the kids, maybe coffee and the paper for the parents.
Two tall slides are reached from a climbing wall and steps with a few other "toys" added on below. There is little for the younger set (up to age 2) but my 3 and 4 year old love it here. The sign at the park says it is for children aged 5-12 and younger ones need supervision.
There are actually restrooms here that are fitted with very modern fixtures for a public facility. The toilets are metal w/no lids and the sinks spout upwards like a fountain. The fields here are used mostly for soccer and are #2 and #4, hence the bathrooms.
There is one lone baby swing too far from the play structure to even count as part of the park, in my opinion, but there is a nice tire swing about 100 ft away.
All in all, great shady spot to take your kids if they are at least 3 years old but only go in the morning.