Public parks and green spaces are a community's backyard. They offer nearby residents a place to play, connect, and reap the benefits of the outdoors. That's why National Walk to a Park Day on October 10th encourages us to walk to our local parks. Feel the wind on your face. Take in the fall weather. Visit with neighbors. Play with your children. And appreciate all the benefits green spaces offer communities.

#WalkToAParkDay

Parks are an essential part of improving public health. They provide a place to play, exercise, and commune with nature. They support equitable and thriving communities. And they protect communities from the impacts of the climate. Yet, 100 million people, including 28 million kids, do not have access to a quality park within a 10-minute walk from home.

National Walk to a Park Day is not only a celebration of green spaces but is a call to action for cities to ensure everyone across the U.S. has access to a quality park within a 10-minute walk of their home.

As part of this national day, walk to your local park, encourage your community to support more public parks and green spaces, too.

5 WAYS TO CELEBRARTE WALK TO A PARK DAY

On National Walk to a Park Day, you'll find many ways to celebrate. The first step is to step out of your home! Invite family, friends, and neighbors to join you. Add events to make your day at the park fun and memorable:

1. Walk your favorite route to your local park.
2. Bring sporting equipment - frisbees, balls, gloves.
3. Pack a picnic lunch.
4. Host a community event.
5. Bring a book or art materials.

And don't forget, public parks include playgrounds, beaches, trails, and some schoolyards. Capture your celebration in pictures and video and share them on social media, too. Tag them with #WalkToAParkDay and @10MinWalk and join the conversation!

NATIONAL WALK TO A PARK DAY HISTORY

The Trust for Public Land launched the 10-Minute Walk Campaign on 10/10/2017, a movement that calls on mayors to ensure that everyone in US cities has access to a quality park within a 10-minute walk of their home. By 2021, the Campaign generated nearly 300 pledges from mayors across the country to increase park access for its residents. That same year, The Trust for Public Land founded National Walk to a Park Day on October 10th to further the campaign and focus on the importance green spaces play in our lives.

The 10-Minute Walk Campaign accelerates the creation of parks that drive equitable, healthy, and thriving communities by calling on mayors to ensure that everyone in cities in the U.S. has access to a quality park within a 10-minute walk of their home.

The Registrar at National Day Calendar proclaimed the first National Walk to A Park Day in 2021 to be celebrated on October 10th annually.

Link to Hillsborough County Parks and Rec

Link to Hillsborough County Park and Leisure

Link to Hillsborough Parks and Recreation is honored for its program Article