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5 Ways to Make the Most of Park and Recreation Month

Summer time is a swell time to go outdoors and make the most of the recreational opportunities you have around you.

The National Recreation and Park Association celebrates July as Park and Recreation Month — a time to appreciate the parks, playgrounds, athletic fields, recreational sports leagues and more available to communities throughout the nation.

Need a little inspiration? Check out the ideas below.

1. Discover Something New

There’s probably a park somewhere that you’ve heard someone talk about, but haven’t yet made time to explore for yourself. Well, there’s no time like the present! Take a moment to sit on the banks of the Chattahoochee River at McIntosh Reserve Park near Whitesburg, let the kids burn off some energy at Carrollton’s Castle Playground, or plan a game at the Heard County Recreation Complex.

And of course, west Georgia has no end to the opportunities for hiking, biking, walking, running and otherwise recreating — just check out the map on GetHealthyLiveWell.org!

2. Pitch a Tent

There are tons of opportunities for camping across the region — and it doesn’t have to cost a fortune to gear-up. Tent sites are available (and affordable) at Carroll County’s Little Tallapoosa Park and John Tanner Park. And don’t hesitate to drop a word on Facebook or through your church or workplace if you need to borrow some gear — you’ll likely find someone willing to loan you a tent, lantern and a couple of sleeping bags for a weekend! Bring along the graham crackers, chocolate bars, marshmallows — and bug spray.

And of course, it’s important to familiarize yourself with essential camping safety advice.


3. Take to the Lake

From Lake Wedowee to Sweetwater Creek State Park, the region is full of awesome aquatic opportunities. Whether you’re looking for a serene and scenic lake for some fishing or jet skiing or riding a raft through whitewater rapids, there are opportunities aplenty. Just don’t forget your lifejacket!

Oh, and if recreational waters aren’t your thing, that’s OK, too: odds are, your county or city parks department has a public pool. (Jet skis are probably not allowed, though.)

4. Take a Hike

Hiking is one of the easiest leisure activities around, as long as you don’t overthink it. All you really need is a decent pair of shoes, water, sunscreen, bug spray and clothing you don’t mind getting a little wet and dirty, and you’re all set to log a few miles on the trail. Haralson County offers a number of healthy hikes that take you past historic homes and through the region’s textile past. Or, meander the banks of the Chattahoochee along Franklin’s Greenway Trail in Heard County.

5. Plan a Picnic

Like camping and hiking, planning a picnic doesn’t have to be anything fancy — toss some sandwiches and a few bottles of water in the cooler, grab a blanket off the back of the couch and you’re all set!

Of course, as with any meal planning, food safety is paramount. The website foodsafety.gov offers some tips to protect your picnic from spoiling:

  • Pack any meat, seafood, poultry, sandwiches, summer salads, fruit, veggies and dairy products in a cold cooler.
  • Fill the cooler with ice to help it stay colder longer. Store it in a shady spot.
  • Avoid opening the cooler to help food stay fresher longer.

If you want to add a dash of “fancy” to your picnic, look up some sandwich recipes in Tanner’s Health Library.

Keep Exploring!

A piece of advice: If you’re looking for something new and exciting to try, check out exploregeorgia.org — a great resource for finding fun things to do indoors and outdoors across Georgia! Look for even more family-friendly ideas in Tanner’s online Health Library and in TheScope.org!

Get Healthy, Live Well




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