July 14: National Parks and Recreation Month

“Since 1985, America has celebrated July as the nation’s official Park and Recreation Month. This July we are encouraging you and your community to GET WILD about parks and recreation! – NPRA

Today’s blog is brought to you by Rachel Everly, Programs Assistant with the Marion County Parks and Recreation Commission.

Enjoy July outside!

As part of Park and Recreation month, we encourage you to get outside and recreate with your friends and family. Maybe take a trip to America’s first National Park, Yellowstone National Park, established in 1885, to see the Old Faithful Geyser. A little more local, you could take a drive down to Pocahontas County, WV and visit the state’s first State Park, Droop Mountain Battlefield, established in 1928, to enjoy rustic trails and vintage cabins.

Staying close to home?  Like most, it is hard to find the time to travel for an extended period of time but there is a solution!  Right here in Marion County, we have a multitude of parks that provide fun for families and people of all ages!  When we have those scorching hot days, come to East Marion Park and take a swim in our Wave Pool.  There is also mini-golf, horseshoes, basketball, tennis, a playground and pavilions available for rent at this park.  After being closed for a few years, 12^th Street Pool is up and running, ready to cool you off, too!  And in Mannington, Hough Park and Pool have been providing outdoor fun for almost 90 years.

If you don’t feel like swimming, take a walk on the rail-trail! Take in some nice views of the rivers, enjoy the foliage around you, or just let off some steam!

Don’t let summer stress you out, let Park and Recreation Month take you outside!