Celebrating National Parks and Recreation Month!

“Each year since 1985, Americans have celebrated national Park and Recreation Month during the month of July to recognize the importance of parks and recreation in establishing and maintaining the quality of life for, and contributing to the physical, economic and environmental well-being of communities”, (Repanshek, 2010).

Considering the challenges we are all experiencing this year, our parks provide visitors with respite from what is a stressful time for many, a dose of nature that we know is beneficial for a myriad of reasons, a place to get exercise for ourselves and our dogs, and, I think we can all agree, a feast for our eyes in aesthetic beauty.

The National Recreation and Park Association has designated the theme for this year’s celebration as We are Parks and Recreation by “highlighting the diversity of park and recreation professionals and showcasing their selfless work”, (National Recreation and Park Association, 2020). The Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy couldn’t agree more! The dedicated parks professionals employed by the Conservancy work to improve our city’s parks for all, cultivate beautiful green spaces for us to enjoy and develop and deliver wonderful educational experiences in nature for all ages. “This year we are celebrating Park and Recreation Professionals Day on Friday, July 17. This is a day to honor all the dedicated professionals who work tirelessly behind the scenes to provide the high-quality programs and infrastructure we desire and expect in our parks and public spaces”, (National Recreation and Park Association, 2020).

While the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy is still unable to offer in-person programming due to COVID-19 precautions, there is a wealth of online resources for all ages to help explore the outdoors from where you are! Check out Parks on the Go! Stay healthy, learn and discover your Pittsburgh Parks!

After exploring Parks on the Go, remember, your Pittsburgh parks are open to visit as you choose. Now more than ever, parks are places for our physical and mental well-being. Parks connect us with nature, provide a place of calm, a place for exercise and a place to explore and spark our imaginations. To ensure that your park visit is safe and enjoyable, the Parks Conservancy has developed the Parks Pack that provides recommendations to follow to visit safely and make the most of your park visits.

I hope you can see that there are a myriad of ways to experience and enjoy your Pittsburgh Parks. Perhaps this National Parks and Recreation month you will discover even more reasons to love your Pittsburgh parks!

References

July is Park and Recreation Month: National Recreation and Park Association. (2020). https://www.nrpa.org/events/july.

Repanshek, K. (2010, June 12). July Designated "Park and Recreation Month". https://www.nationalparkstraveler.org/2010/06/july-designated-park-and-recreation-month5991.