Today is national take a walk in a park day. I think that the parks we have around the USA are so important and special. We’re so fortunate to have so many parks and natural places to visit. If you’re not from the USA I invite you to share some website resources or your favorite parks below so others can enjoy them too!
Before we get to the park, let’s get some motivation going! Who should go to the park and what is so interesting about walking there? Friends, partners, families, individuals, coworkers, anyone! Everyone can take advantage of and benefit from walking around a park today. Whether you visit NYC’s Central Park, the little park in your town, or you visit a park like Yellowstone, find a park you can get to easily, and hopefully more often than just every March 30th.
What about the interest factor? What makes visiting a park more exciting than walking on a treadmill or in your neighborhood? Visiting a park is a great opportunity to interact more closely with nature than you would walking around your neighborhood (unless you live in an isolated area). Now is the perfect time to see the flowers beginning to grow, see the animals racing around after winter’s cold and snow, and smell the fresh air that you don’t smell in your crowded neighborhood. You may also see deer, rabbits, hawks, ducks and other animals that you wouldn’t necessarily see around your home. It’s also the perfect place to relax and think about something other than the responsibilities you have to take care of. Finally, a park is a great place to get that essential exercise and be a change of scenery for all of you who are stay at home moms or dads, work inside an office all day, or work from your home.
Don’t know where there’s a park near you? You can check out the America’s State Parks website, State Parks website or National Park Service website to get started.
Hiking is another great spring activity that brings the whole family together. You can find lots of hiking trails for families of all skill levels at LocalHikes, Trails, and American Trails.
Do you have a favorite park you and your family like to go to? What makes it so special? I’d love to hear your park stories and suggestions below!