A York County drive: Free spring water from the Leone family
I mentioned recently that I was going to be featuring some special York County places in an occasional series on this blog. I’m calling it “York County drives,” and it’s meant to highlight those hidden treasures in York County, cool places worth a (probably scenic) drive. Most will be free destinations, and they’ll each showcase something fun that I’ve actually seen or done first-hand.
Well, the Leone Family Spring in Manheim Township is a perfect first installment. We found this during our February mega-drive, and I can’t wait to go back.
As you head toward it (see the directions below), you’ll see a series of hand-lettered signs saying “Free spring water.” That’s what led us there. When you arrive, you’ll see a nice setup, complete with benches, a cup dispenser and a wastecan for used cups, as well as a sign: “Welcome to Leone’s spring. Sit and rest a while and enjoy a cool drink of spring water compliments of the Leone family.”
It was just such a nice thing to see. I had a water bottle in the car, which I’d come close to emptying, so of course I was quick to pull it out and fill up with Leone spring water. It was definitely cool and tasty. (I love drinking water, so “new water” is always exciting for me.)
The spring water is tested regularly for quality; because that isn’t free, the family does offer a small place for donations to help offset testing costs.
I hope you’ll check it out and tell me what you think! Also, if you have suggestions for other places I might visit on my “drives,” let me know in the comments.
How to get there
Google Maps or Mapquest: 7616 Simpson Road, Glen Rock PA 17327
Approximate drive time/distance from the center of York city: 40 minutes, 24 miles
Directions from York: Take I-83 south to the Glen Rock exit, Exit 8. Turn right off the exit and continue to follow Route 216 West. (It’ll turn a few times.) You’ll follow that about 10.4 miles until you come to Route 516 South/Steltz Road. Turn left onto that, then make an immediate right to stay on 516 South. Go 1.8 miles, then turn right on Hokes Road. A half-mile after that, take the first left onto Simpson Road, and the spring will be on your left a little more than a half-mile down Simpson. Pull off onto the shoulder; there’s little traffic in the area.
