National Get Outdoors Day
Summer is here. The kids are home and already complaining that there’s nothing to do. Here’s an idea—go outside! National Get Outdoors Day is Saturday, June 10, 2017, and Johnson County has outdoor opportunities for family to celebrate the occasion. Get off the couch, put on your walking shoes, and get moving!
Get Outdoors Lenexa
Lenexa Parks and Recreation is hosting an outdoor event from 9:00 am-noon at Black Hoof Park. There will be family fun activities encouraging you to seek out healthy, active outdoor lives like family yoga, Zumba, bounce houses, fort building and an obstacle course!
Get Outdoors Everyday
Johnson County has many free and low-cost options for getting outdoors. From our excellent parks, such as Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park in Lenexa, KS to Switzer Park in Overland Park, KS, to our numerous walking and biking trails throughout the county, there are opportunities right around every corner. Enjoy nature at Ernie Miller Park & Nature Center or Shawnee Mission Park. Enjoy the fantastical world of the Enchanted Forrest at the Overland Park Arboretum and Botanical Gardens. Take the self-guided tree tour at Veteran’s Memorial Park in Olathe, KS. There are opportunities for people of all-ages and interests in Johnson County!
Benefits of Being Outdoors
Outdoor activities benefit us all in many ways—physically, socially, mentally, and intellectually. Research shows that regular outdoor activity reduces your risk for cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity, and other chronic diseases. Along with an increase in physical activity, outdoor activities offer the chance to socialize, which can boost your feelings of well-being and decrease feelings of stress, anxiety, and depression. Social engagement along with being outdoors can also reduce your risk for dementia and positively influence brain health. Outdoor activities also leads to an increased confidence, improved creativity and better self-esteem.
While we officially celebrate the outdoors on June 10th, every day can be Get Outdoors Day! All you have to do is walk out of your front door and explore all that Johnson County has to offer.