No matter if it's a small city park or a large national attraction, the development of our park systems across America is a rich part of our nations's heritage. Parks are often just an area of land areas set apart to either be kept in their natural state or improved with facilities. They can contain trees, lakes, and beautiful land forms. Wild animals and birds can be found in many parks. Parks can also be an area of public land that is used for amusement, enjoyment, and recreation. In 1634, colonial America's first public park was established in Boston, since then every state, county and many municipalities have developed their own park systems. Some may be as simple as a park bench and shade tree, others can include swimming pools, sports complexes, athletic fields, outdoor seating, beaches, playgrounds, natural turf, artificial turf, trails, walkways, barbeque areas, tennis courts, volleyball courts and areas for education or entertainment.
Recreation and Relaxation
Many parks are used for recreation and allow visitors to relax, explore, and enjoy their natural environment. Some are equipped for specific athletic or recreational activities. Parks vary in size from small neighborhood units to giant reserves that contain vast wilderness areas. Parks also vary in their types, from urban and local parks to state and provincial or national government parks. Parks also vary in their mission and purpose and their activities. Some parks preserve spectacular mountains and/or ancient forests, protect unusual wildlife, or preserve a historic site. Some parks may preserve a small city block while others contain geysers, glaciers, or interesting rock formations. The United States has over 50 national parks, hundreds of national monument and historic sites, more than 5,000 state parks and thousands of county and city parks.
Getting Involved
Getting involved with your local park can be as simple as picking up a single piece of trash during your stay at a park, or organizing a fund-raiser to expand your park's facilities. Friends groups, associations, volunteers and everyday park visitors all have the potential to contribute in some way to the protection of local treasures.
Volunteering
Volunteering is one of the best ways you can help your city, county or state park. This will help preserve and protect the local cultural heritage for the enjoyment of this and future generations. History buffs, amateur naturalists, re-enactors, artists, campground hosts, gardeners and many more volunteers of all ages can give of their time and expertise to help our parks. When you volunteer, you make an investment and you want to make sure that investment pays off for future generations to come.
Youth Programs
Through youth programs, young people learn many social skills and develop a life-long commitment to support our parks and protect our natural environment and cultural heritage. Todays parks can be as simple as a park bench and a view but many include synthetic turf field for football and soccer, running tracks, picnic areas, walking paths and shelters for activities. All of which can shape and influence the lives of our youth. Many children have learned to swim through programs offered through the local park pool.
Pools and Other Wet Ways to Have Fun
There are many community pools at local parks where familes can cool off during the summer months for little or no cost. These pools offer not only fun and activities but swimming lessons, exercise programs and host team events such as racing or other aquatic activities. Many parks offer splash pads and splash parks that offer yet another way to cool off and have fun. Later you can dry off and have a picnic or a barbeque on the grass and top off the evening by listening to one of the many concerts offered in America's parks.
Athletic Fields
Athletic fields come in all shapes and forms: natural grass, synthetic turf, rubber and clay surface. Many offer low-maintenance solutions for grounds keepers and high safety factors for players. Artificial turf can be a better solution when the environment is particularly hostile to natural grass. An arid environment or one where there is little natural light are examples. Artificial turf can withstand significantly more use than natural grass and can therefore be used much more frequently. This allows parks to offer more use on the same field. There are many different types of playing fields to include soccer, baseball, football, volleyball and mixed sports.
Get Involved
Get involved in your local, state or national park. You'll get some exercise, make some friends, create family memories and see Mother Nature at her best. It's a great and inexpensive way to have some fun and enjoy the American Outdoors.