Take the Kids to the Park

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is participating in the national effort this weekend to get children into parks.

National Kids to Parks Day is held the third Saturday in May as part of an ongoing effort to connect youth with nature and encourage them to explore outdoors, especially at parks in their communities.  A list of events registered in each state is available at http://parktrust.org/kidstoparks.

To add an event, go to http://parktrust.org/kidstoparks/national-kids-to-parks-day/host-an-event.

The DNR has been promoting reconnecting Iowans with their natural resources through Take it Outside and Healthy, Happy Outdoors campaign.

“We want every Iowan to know that spending time outdoors increases physical activity and reduces stress,” said Todd Coffelt, chief of the Iowa DNR’s State Parks Bureau.

For information on Iowa State Parks, go to www.iowadnr.gov/parks

“No matter where they live, Iowans can find places to spend outside that are close to home,” Coffelt said.