McDade Park | All-Season Outdoor Fun & History in Scranton
McDade Park in Scranton, PA is a four-season community hub offering nearly 200 acres of trails, open space and inclusive recreation. Created in the 1970s from reclaimed coal mining land, the park is now managed by the Lackawanna County Parks & Recreation Department. It’s a destination where families can play, learn and relax year-round—free of charge and open to all.
Boundless Playground & Family Recreation
The Boundless Playground, added in 2009, is one of McDade Park’s most celebrated features. It’s a large, inclusive play area built for children of all abilities. It includes wheelchair-accessible swings and slides, a rubberized safety surface, and two designated quiet zones for autistic children. Kids can enjoy sand and water tables, a wind chime area, climbing structures and an old-fashioned bench swing—all surrounded by walking paths and a butterfly garden.
The park also includes an Olympic-size swimming pool and splash pad, a children’s fishing pond stocked several times per year, and multiple sports courts. Guests can enjoy basketball, tennis, bocce, softball and a multipurpose field for soccer and lacrosse. Shaded picnic areas, charcoal grills and two pavilions make it perfect for gatherings. A two-mile trail system is open for hiking, cross-country running and skiing. Wide hills offer excellent sledding during the winter, and open fields are great for Frisbee in summer or skiing in colder months. Free sports equipment rentals are available seasonally.
Cultural Sites & Community Events
McDade Park is home to the Lackawanna Coal Mine Tour and the Pennsylvania Anthracite Heritage Museum—two of Scranton’s most important cultural landmarks. Both offer visitors a look into the region’s coal mining legacy and feature educational exhibits, gift shops and seasonal programs. The park also hosts year-round events, including fishing derbies, bocce tournaments and low-cost sports clinics for kids and adults.
McDade Park in Scranton blends inclusive recreation, local history and outdoor adventure for all ages and abilities.
McDade Park
