Month-long celebration highlights essential value of parks and recreation to local communities
Summer is here, which means it’s time to get your play on! Discover the power of play this July when Cape Coral Parks & Recreation joins municipalities from across the country to celebrate National Park and Recreation Month. The National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) has been celebrating in July since 1985. This annual observation recognizes all the ways parks and recreation can transform people’s daily lives. From providing places to play and stay healthy, to fostering new relationships and forging connections with nature, Cape Coral’s park and recreation facilities provide essential services and improve the local quality of life.
Discover Parks & Recreation Day
This year’s main event will be a free “Discover Parks & Recreation Day” at the Cape Coral Yacht Club on Saturday, July 15 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Several Parks & Recreation divisions will join together at this free family event to share program information and showcase demonstrations at one convenient location. Featured activities include an ice cream social, kid’s crafts, interactive exhibits and a scavenger hut. There will be a photo booth, live critters, touch tanks and children’s tennis instruction. There will be prize drawings throughout the day. Included are tickets to Sun Splash, free golf at Coral Oaks, passes to the Yacht Club Pool and Eagle Skate Park. Prizes will include kayaking at Eco Park, passes to Coconut Festival 2017, a remote-controlled boat and more. There will also be dancing and other activities on the main stage in the Yacht Club Ballroom throughout the day.
In addition to Discover Parks & Recreation Day at the Yacht Club, a free open house and ice cream social will be held at Lake Kennedy Senior Center on Friday, July 7, and there will be free boat trailer parking at the City’s public boat ramps the weekend of July 29-30.
Other efforts to recognize the importance of parks include local children’s artwork featuring Cape Coral parks being placed on display in Cape Coral City Hall from July 3-28 and PGA “Family Golf Month” specials at Coral Oaks Golf Course to encourage affordable family bonding on the golf course. (Visit www.CoralOaksGolf.com for details.) In addition, free children’s activity books with the national “Get Your Play On” message, will be available to pick up (while supply lasts) at the Parks & Recreation reception desk in Cape Coral City Hall beginning July 3.
“National Park and Recreation Month helps to recognize the opportunities that parks provide for people to play, free of stress,” said Steve Pohlman, Director of Cape Coral Parks & Recreation. “That could include a walk in the park or parents and children interacting on a playground. It could be participation in competitive athletics or exercise programs that cater to senior citizens.”
Parks & Recreation
To sign up to receive free E-newsletters from the Cape Coral Parks & Recreation Department or to get more information on upcoming programs and events, visit www.CapeParks.com or call (239) 573-3128. You can also follow Cape Coral Parks & Recreation on Facebook and Twitter atwww.facebook.com/CapeCoralParks & www.twitter.com/CapeCoralParks
