Discover Everything Your Local Parks Really Have to OfferIt wasn't until I had children that I realized how important our local parks are to our community. State parks are a wonderful place to find inexpensive family fun. At these parks you can find historic sites, beaches, campgrounds, even water parks. At some parks you can even go golfing. Here, in Delaware the state parks have beautifully maintained public beaches, fishing piers, and boat ramps. At Florida's John Pennecamp State Park you can scuba dive or go for a ride in a glass bottom boat. You can mountain climb at Georgia's Stone Mountain State Park. You can rent a kayak in Alaska's Shulak Island State Park. At Glacier National Park, in Montana, you can ride horseback, hike and ski in the wintertime. At the Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona you can now walk out on the Skywalk, a glass bridge suspended 4000 feet above the canyon floor.
Everything from hang gliding to bird watching; camping to golfing can be done at any number of US National and State Parks. Most National and State Parks charge a very reasonable entrance fee, usually based on the size of your vehicle and whether or not your vehicle is registered in that state. Out of state vehicles cost a little more. You'll find the activities and attractions in state parks will either be free or very reasonably priced. These parks are fantastic and if you ever get the opportunity to visit one of these wonderful locations I strongly recommend it, but for regular, everyday family fun you can't beat your local or municipal parks.
My kids love the playgrounds in our local parks. Playgrounds these days can resemble mini-amusement parks. Twisty slides, "rock climbing" walls, and gymnast "rings" are just some of the things you can find on a modern playground along with the old standby swings, see-saws, and merry-go-rounds. A great source of information about park events in your area is your office of Parks and Recreation. If you call and ask to be put on their mailing list they will send you a newsletter that is usually published seasonally. You may also find out about other parks in your area that you didn't even know were there. There are loads of information in these newsletters that can keep you in "the know" about all the activities going on each season sponsored by the Department of Parks and Recreation.
Don't assume that just because you won't be using the park much in colder months that nothing is going on. Check the Parks and Recreation calendar for Winter and Fall classes and events.
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