Since 1985, July has been the month that America celebrates National Parks and Recreation Month – a campaign focused on the vital role community parks and recreational areas play in our health and wellbeing. This year’s theme is “A Lifetime of Discovery” and is meant to encourage visitors to explore the many undiscovered programs of local parks and recreation departments, such as outdoor education and STEM programs, cultural celebrations, intergenerational events, disaster preparedness activities and park maintenance.

The County of San Diego Department of Parks and Recreation is paying tribute to the holiday with its annual Parks and Recreation Champion Awards event on July 11, celebrating parks volunteers, leaders and advocates who are committed to making the world a better place through their support of park facilities and recreation services.

County Parks and Recreation is also celebrating by hosting nine fitness activities in support of the Live Well San Diego 31-Day Fitness Challenge:

·         7/1, 9:30 – 11 a.m., Otay Lakes County Park: Sunday Hikes with a Ranger

·         7/1, 10 – 11:30 a.m., Tijuana River Valley Regional Park: Dairy Mart Trail Loop Nature Hike

·         7/7, 10 – 11:30 a.m., Flinn Springs County Park: Native American Plant Uses

·         7/7, 12 – 2 p.m., Lake Morena County Park: Kayaking and Birding with a Ranger

·         7/8, 10 . – 12 p.m., Felicita County Park: Museum Tour and Hike

·         7/14, 8 – 10 p.m., Oakoasis County Preserve: Night Hike and Star Party

·         7/15, 1 – 3 p.m., San Dieguito County Park: Intro to Orienteering

·         7/21, 10 – 11:30 a.m., Wilderness Gardens County Preserve: Saturday Morning Hike

·         7/28, 8:30 – 11 a.m., Wilderness Gardens County Preserve: Wilderness Gardens Trail Trek

County Parks and Recreation works every day to promote health and wellness through thousands of events and activities all across San Diego. With more than 100 parks across 50,000+ acres of land, County Parks and Recreation encourages people of all ages to experience ‘the upside of outside’ in a way that is personally meaningful.

For instance, on Saturday, April 21, County Parks hosted a community-wide Earth Day Appreciation Event and provided an opportunity for participants to give back to their communities while being active. Some 160 people attended the 4-hour event at Lindo Lake County Park in Lakeside to participate in kid-friendly games and activities along with outdoor beautification projects like trash-pick-ups, succulent potting and tree planting. 

Celebrate National Parks and Recreation Month by getting active at your favorite park! Shop hiking, biking, equestrian and picnic destinations on sdparks.org.