Category: Healthy Parks Healthy People

5 ways to empower children to be explorers

Today’s post comes from Camille Koon, a Learning and Education Leader with Ontario Parks. 

“The best teachers are those who show you where to look, but don’t tell you what to see.” – Alexandra K. Trenfor, educator

Every child who visits a park should see it as an exciting adventure waiting to unfold. With lakes, rivers, beaches, forests, fields, and more, the opportunities for discovery are endless.

By observing the diversity of plants and animals found in the outdoors, children discover the wonders of nature and develop a deeper appreciation for it.

Here are five ways we can empower all children to become explorers of the world around them.

Continue reading 5 ways to empower children to be explorers

Let’s go plogging!

This post comes from Sarah McMichael, senior marketing specialist at Ontario Parks.

Have you ever spotted leftover trash along our roads, sidewalks, and trails?

How many times have you walked past this trash while out for a walk, run, or jog? Did you pick it up, or leave it on the ground?

A new environmentally friendly workout trend is encouraging you to stop and pick up litter during your outdoor exercises.

It’s called plogging, and it’s an amazing way to keep our environment and our bodies healthy at the same time.

Continue reading Let’s go plogging!

Resolutions for healthier parks

The New Year is a time to take stock of where we are and where we are headed. Most of us have made resolutions to change behaviours in order to start anew in 2021: quitting smoking, eating healthier, or exercising more.

Do you consider parks and protected areas when thinking of New Year’s Resolutions?

Continue reading Resolutions for healthier parks

9 future jobs of Ontario Parks

Today’s post comes from Ontario Parks 125th Anniversary Coordinator Laura Myers.

Over the course of 2018, Ontario Parks’ 125th Anniversary has inspired us to reflect on our past and to imagine our future. We thought it would be fun to think about what Ontario Parks jobs may be required as we move forward into our next 125 years!

Continue reading 9 future jobs of Ontario Parks

My experience completing the 30×30 Challenge

This blog comes from Lily Carlson, a travel blogger and social media influencer at Lily’s Lens on Life. 

“Spending time in nature has a way of nurturing the soul”

– Katrina Mayer

Ever since I was a little girl, the great outdoors has been tied to so many incredible memories, including hiking with friends, swimming in the lake with my cousins, fishing with my grandparents. Heck, I even worked at summer camps for nine years throughout high school and university. So, naturally (pun intended), the 30×30 Challenge sounded right up my alley!

Continue reading My experience completing the 30×30 Challenge

The transformative power of nature at Killbear

This post comes from Kaitlyn-Lee Mun, one of our wonderful summer students at Killbear Provincial Park.

“I’m going to Killbear for the summer.”

“Cool…where’s that?”

This was the response I was usually met with when telling my family and friends where I was going for the summer.

Continue reading The transformative power of nature at Killbear

How to keep your brain healthy this summer

Summer is without a doubt the best time to get outside and play. There’s so much to do like hiking, cycling, or paddling.

It is also the perfect time to take charge of our brain health. We often hear that being active is great for our heart and muscles, but let’s not forget what it can do for our brain. Exercise helps protect our brain cells and encourages the growth of new ones by boosting levels of growth factors called neurotrophins.

Continue reading How to keep your brain healthy this summer

Get outside with ActiveDays

This blog post comes from Walker Kitchens, coordinator of the ActiveDays program. 

Are you taking the 30×30 Challenge this August? Need a way to get your nature time in?

In honour of the challenge, Parkbus is offering three ActiveDays throughout the month of August to get you moving in the outdoors.

Continue reading Get outside with ActiveDays

Barrier-free Bonnechere

Highlights of a trip to Bonnechere Provincial Park often include visiting the beach and taking a dip in the sparkling waters of Round Lake.

Until recently, enjoying these and other activities in the park could be challenging for those using a wheelchair or walker.

This past year, as part of Ontario Parks’ commitment to making our parks as accessible as possible, Bonnechere staff surveyed the park and after identifying potential barriers, put together a plan to remove them.     Continue reading Barrier-free Bonnechere