Business Spotlight: Lakewood Park Campground and Catalpa Grove at Lakewood Park

Nestled on 63 scenic acres in Barnesville, Pennsylvania, Lakewood Park Campground and Catalpa Grove at Lakewood Park have become a year-round destination for visitors and residents alike. Blending natural beauty, rich history, and modern amenities, Lakewood Park offers an experience that feels both nostalgic and forward-thinking.

From peaceful camping and cozy cabin stays to fresh coffee, great food, and a stunning wedding venue, Lakewood Park is more than a campground. It is a gathering place. Once a beloved amusement park that hosted ethnic celebrations and created lifelong memories, the property has been thoughtfully restored to honor its past while building something new for future generations.

Family-owned and operated, with three generations working side by side, Lakewood Park is guided by values of integrity, hospitality, and a commitment to creating meaningful experiences for every guest. Their dedication to innovation and thoughtful operations was recently recognized when Andrew of Lakewood Park Campground was named the 2025 Innovative Operations Strategies Award Winner, a testament to the vision driving the park forward.

To learn more about the people, passion, and plans behind Lakewood Park Campground and Catalpa Grove, we asked the team a series of questions about their business and its impact on the community.

We Asked Lakewood Park Campground These Questions:

Q: Briefly describe your business, including your products or services and the community you serve.

A: Lakewood Park is situated on 63 acres with a 10-acre lake and is open all year. We offer many amenities for both the local community and distant travelers, including the Catalpa Grove wedding venue, a 150-site campground with 15 cabin rentals, and the Lakewood Park Café, which offers great food and beverage options. In 2026, we will also be opening our outdoor bar, offering great food, drinks, and music lakeside.

Q: What inspired you to start your business, or what led you to take on ownership or leadership of it?

A: Our family has always had a desire to own and build a campground. We came across this property for sale in 2017 and immediately fell in love with the history and the opportunity to restore Lakewood Park as a renewed place for people to enjoy. We continue to grow and expand our vision and look forward to our continued expansion over the next few years.

Q: What makes your business unique or sets it apart from others in your industry?

A: Lakewood Park is unique primarily because of the rich history the property offers and the memories so many people have shared there when it operated as an amusement park and hosted ethnic celebrations. As we developed the property, we pulled from our own camping experiences and aimed to build a campground that pays close attention to detail, ensuring everyone who stays with us has a positive and memorable experience and wants to return again and again. We are also family-owned, with three generations working at the park.

Q: How long have you been operating, and how has your business grown or evolved over time?

A: We purchased the property in 2017 and began building our wedding venue, which opened in 2019. In 2020, we installed our first 10 cabins, and in 2021 we started building out RV sites and additional cabin rentals and amenities. By the end of 2026, we will have 150 sites, including 17 cabin rentals, along with the café and lakeside bar, all of which are open to the public.

Q: What are some of the core values or principles that guide your business?

A: Family-centric values, integrity, and always considering what is best for the customer.

Q: What is something customers might be surprised to learn about your business?

A: Everyone is welcome to our store, café, bar, and arcade, as we are open to the public every day.
We offer fresh coffee and espresso that is ground daily and sourced from a roaster in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. We can make all of your favorite drinks, and refreshers will be offered in the spring.
Our venue, Catalpa Grove, is named after the majestic Catalpa trees located throughout the property, which were planted along the roads back when the park was at its peak.

Q: What do you enjoy most about owning or operating a business in Schuylkill County?

A: We enjoy the rural vibe of Schuylkill County and the supportive people who have embraced our projects. Our location offers the convenience of being right off Interstate 81 and within two hours of many areas in New Jersey, New York, and Philadelphia, allowing us to draw visitors for weddings and camping from a wide region.

Q: What are your goals or plans for the future of your business?

A: We plan to continue growing our existing offerings by expanding our exposure to the community. Many people still do not realize we are here or may not know that our Campground Store, Café, Bar, Ice Cream, Coffee Shop, and Arcade are open to the public.

Q:  How can Chamber members and the community best support your business?

A: By visiting our café, campground, and venue, and by offering suggestions on what else we may be able to do to better serve our community.

Lakewood Park Campground and Catalpa Grove at Lakewood Park are a powerful example of how honoring history, embracing innovation, and staying rooted in family values can create something truly special. Whether you are stopping in for a coffee, booking a camping getaway, planning a wedding, or simply enjoying the lakeside atmosphere, Lakewood Park continues to grow as a destination that welcomes everyone.

*This Business Spotlight is a product of the THRIVE Schuylkill Total Resource Campaign.