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July 6, 2022
Contact:
Dominique Shank, Columbus Recreation and Parks Department, 614-512-0049 (cell)
Kerry Francis, Columbus Recreation and Parks Department, 740-504-5892 (cell)
Residents Encouraged to Check Out All Columbus Recreation and Parks Has to Offer During National Park and Recreation Month
COLUMBUS, OH – July is National Park and Recreation Month, and Columbus Recreation and Parks is connecting residents with the many ways the department and its staff benefits them and the City of Columbus.
Recreation and parks services improve our quality of life. Recreational programming, conservation efforts, community events and food access programs protect and improve our environment, our physical and mental health, and our sense of community. The National Recreation and Association (NRPA) hosts the annual event every July to underscore these benefits.
“Columbus Recreation and Parks Department enhances the quality of life for Columbus residents and the central Ohio community,” said Columbus Mayor Andrew J. Ginther. “The staff serves our community in so many ways by offering programs and a place to connect at our 28 community centers, a chance to get outside at our more than 400 parks and on our 230 miles of trails and so much more. They invest in the people within our neighborhoods and the places we enjoy in Columbus to create a more vibrant community.”
Throughout the month, the department will highlight its many offerings, all of which are designed to improve residents’ mental and physical well-being. Residents from preschool to age 99+ can access low- or no-cost programs catering to a variety of interests, including the arts, fitness and educational pursuits. Parks and trails offer a place to get outside in nature and relax or be active. These are just a few ways the department helps residents connect with nature, wellness and creativity–and each other.
The need for these resources has increased in recent years with the pandemic and the current economic uncertainty. Some residents need a place to connect with others, while some residents need access to fresh, healthy food and basic necessities.
“The last few years have been challenging for our community and our nation, and our staff have risen to the occasion to serve Columbus residents,” said Bernita A. Reese, CPRP, director of Columbus Recreation and Parks Department. “Our staff have worked extremely hard to continue to offer services to our Columbus residents by offering community center activities for all ages, hosting summer camps, keeping our parks and trails in good condition and hosting community festivals throughout our great City.”
Columbus Recreation and Parks Department is also celebrating its 112th birthday this month! Established on July 15, 1910, the City Recreation Department enriched Columbus by finding ways to make streets, alleys, boulevards, parks and public grounds more beautiful. On Jan. 2, 1972, the City Recreation Department merged with the Division of Forestry and Parks to become Columbus Recreation and Parks Department.
Residents can learn more about National Park and Recreation Month and all the department offers by visiting the department’s social media accounts; staff from across the department will share more about what they do. Residents also can browse current recreational programming and sign up for the department’s monthly email newsletter.
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