July is National Park & Recreation Month!

Since 1985, America has celebrated July as the nation’s official Park and Recreation Month! Thus TVRPD, more than ever before, is dedicated to encouraging all Tehachapians to explore local outdoor recreational opportunities and get involved in their community through parks and recreation.

When we go outdoors we get active, connect with nature and even improve our mental health and stress levels. Community parks and recreation are great places to get outdoor time and time spent outdoors is good for us. But are we even going outside regularly to gain these benefits? And are there common barriers getting in the way of outdoor time?

A recent study conducted by the National Recreation and Park Association indicates that nearly 3 out of every 10 Americans do not spend time outdoors daily. In addition, surveys associated with this study tell us that time spent at work, or on computers, smartphones, tablets, and watching television were the primary barriers preventing many of us from expanding our time outdoors, and enjoying park, recreation, fitness and wellness opportunities.

In response to this I offer 10 reasons how our parks and outdoor recreation benefit us:

1.  Parks and recreation allow us to become healthy and stay fit for adults AND our youth making the connection that being active and leading a healthy lifestyle is not only fun but also good for you. Check out http://tvrpd.org!

2.  Parks are places to view wildlife and experience nature, breathe in fresh air and appreciate what is natural and wholesome around us. They pass on the benefits of conservation and stewardship and cultivate a new appreciation for nature among the next generation. There’s nothing cooler

than seeing migratory turkey vultures kettle at Central Park!

3.  Parks and recreation are great places to walk, hike and bike, maybe even pick up a new activity like skateboarding, ultimate frisbee or soccer - who’s not proud of Team USA World Cup performance this year?!  

4.  Parks are places to enjoy a picnic – who doesn’t love summer family barbeque or a quiet lunch break at the park.   

5.  Parks and recreation bring generations together. Don’t miss the “new” Tehachapi Oldtimers Reunion this year!

Not only that, they bring all types of people together no matter age, race, income and ability. Our community parks and recreation are one of the highest and best forms of “public good” - the right to enjoy your life, your health and your liberty. 

6.  Parks are places for our festivals, concerts, art displays, music, craft fairs and community events, such as TVRPD Music and Movies at the Park. And I hope you’re prepared for the awesome 2014 Mountain Festival and the TVRPD Mountain Gallop 5/10k. Where else can you find such cool events? 

7.  Parks and recreation provide places for sports - teams, individuals, practice and tournaments (way to go Tehachapi Little League 2014!). Many elite and even some pro athletes got their start at our local park and rec; need I say Tehachapi Warriors?

8.  Parks can revitalize underserved communities transforming them into vibrant destinations, as with the case of Railroad Park; and the visioning plans for Meadowbrook Park, Tehachapi’s Freedom Plaza, and the Tehachapi Rodeo and Event Fairgrounds.

9.  Parks and recreation provide a safe place for kids and are one of the largest providers of childhood enrichment during out-of-school times. Check out the TVRPD Tots Enrichment and American Red Cross learn-to-swim programs.  

10.  Parks and recreation offer the opportunity to volunteer and give back to our communities, the environment and others. On the flip-side, parks are where we can go if we need help – many of our local parks provide low- to no-cost activities and events, personal and communal enrichment programs, therapeutic recreation opportunities.  

To explore all that Tehachapi Valley Recreation and Park District has to offer visit us at http://www.tvrpd.org and download the latest Program Guide. Please check back often to discover how the Tehachapi Valley Recreation and Parks District makes life better in the Greater Tehachapi Area.

Play Up! Live Up!