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.

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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?

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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!

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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!

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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.

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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.

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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

Keep your child’s asthma under control this summer

Summer’s here, bringing with it camping getaways, family hikes, and playing outdoors all day long. But if your child suffers from asthma, keeping it under control during the summer months is necessary to ensure they have a safe and active break from school.

Planning ahead and taking precautions helps to reduce their risks. Beware of summer asthma triggers such as pets, food allergens, campfire smoke, air pollution, mould in the forest, and dust and mould in tent or trailer. Remember that air quality on vacation not be as easy to monitor as it can be at home.

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