Berne's backyard
Lehman Park is where Berne goes to be outside. Twelve and a half acres of mature trees, green lawns, and winding walking paths on the south side of town, with a playground for the kids, restrooms, plenty of shade, and a peaceful, small-town calm that makes it easy to lose an afternoon. It's free, open to everyone, and lovingly kept by the city.
The perfect picnic, powered by Berne's kitchens
Here's the EatBerne.com move: skip packing a cooler and let the town cater your picnic. Grab a carryout pizza cut into squares from Pizza King, chicken salad and pastries from the Alpine Rose, tamales to go from El Carreton, or a sack of burgers — then claim a shady table at the park. Finish with a short drive to Grandma Stutzman's for cones all around. That's a Berne summer afternoon done right. Find all your options in the guide.
The pavilion
The Lehman Park Pavilion is the park's centerpiece and one of Berne's favorite gathering spots — the go-to venue for family reunions, birthday parties, graduation open houses, and community events throughout the year. It's available to rent through the city; call ahead to check dates, especially for summer weekends, which book up fast.
More than picnic tables
The park is also home to Berne's community pool, which opens for the season in late May — the classic small-town summer cool-down. And if you're feeling ambitious before you eat, the South Adams Trail to Geneva starts right nearby, so you can pedal past the covered bridge and come back with a proper appetite.