 July is National Park and Recreation Month, and that means it’s time to get your play on! The National Recreation and Park Association is encouraging everyone to stay active all month long by visiting local parks and recreation centers. We invite you to take this month as an opportunity to discover the benefits of playing and exercising. From mental well-being and physical health, to fun social interactions -- the benefits of parks and recreation are many! So put your best game face on, and celebrate National Park and Recreation Month by going on a hike, meeting your friends at the park, taking your family to the playground, or attending a class at your local recreation center. Playing and socializing is a vital component of child development. Community play spaces encourage physical activity, promote diverse social skills, and can reduce feelings of isolation. Most Americans only spend about five hours per week participating in fun outdoor activities. Let’s increase that number together! Take your little ones to the park or local playground, meet new people, and have fun. Physical activity is essential for a healthy lifestyle at any age. The benefits include strengthening bones and muscles, improving mental health and mood, increasing ability to do daily activities, and reducing risks of cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes. Phoenix offers more than 41,000 acres of desert parks and mountain preserves with more than 200 miles of trails, 182 spacious city parks, 32 community and recreation centers that schedule classes and sports programs, and 29 pools where thousands cool off and learn to swim each year. Many parks like Mountain Vista Park, Agua Linda Park and Altadena Park are free and have splash pads, so you and your family can cool off during a hot summer day. You can find a full list of parks with splash pads and water activities here. If you’re a Phoenix resident, take advantage of one of the community or recreation centers. For a low price, you get access to a gymnasium, game rooms, free fitness classes and much more. You can find additional information and a full list of community centers on this website. Hiking might not seem tempting in this heat, but azstateparks.com still has plenty to offer with events like Parks Best Short Trails, full moon hikes, star parties, a geology walking tour, and Bat Night. Don’t forget to stay hydrated while you are exploring our scenic state parks and trails, don't forget your sunscreen, and be sure to always hike with a buddy. The City of Tucson invites kids to cool off at one of 17 city pools for free, beginning June 1. You can find other activities and locations here. The Flagstaff area has multiple parks with basketball, tennis, volleyball courts, as well as picnic tables and playgrounds. When you're ready to explore the beautiful parks in your area, or learn and play at a neighborhood recreation center, you can visit NRPA.ORG to learn more about upcoming events.
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