Healthy Parks Healthy People Day 2022

We know that spending time in nature is good for us.

Sometimes, we just need a little push to get outside and feel the effects!

That’s why on July 15, we are offering a variety of activities in parks across the province in celebration of Healthy Parks Healthy People Day.

All parks that normally charge a day-use fee will be offering free entry so you can enjoy the benefits of being in nature.

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July’s digital download

Watch velvety pink clouds strain out the last glimmers of daylight and feel all your fatigue fade away.

July is the perfect time to reconnect with the restorative benefits of nature.

This month’s FREE digital download comes from Woodland Caribou Provincial Park!

Join us on July 15 for Healthy Parks Healthy People Day to snap a special photo of your own. In the meantime, enjoy this stunning scenery on all of your devices.

Throughout 2022, we’re sharing a free downloadable graphic for you to use as wallpaper for your favourite devices. We’ve specially sized these images for your  computers, tablets, smartphones, and Facebook covers.

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The measure of a canoe trip

Today’s post is a polite rant from Quetico Provincial Park’s Librarian Jill Sorensen.

We seem to constantly hear about expedition-style trips. Grunt narratives where people have broken speed records, paddled the longest distances, or have been “the first” to complete a route. The blisters. The sleep deprivation. The endurance.

And that is fine. I have no problem with kilometre tracking or race attempts. But if you insist on measuring all of your trips, may I suggest that you count something else? Something that instead connects you to the landscape, or a piece of cultural history.

A little less pace. A little more place.

Here are some suggestions of other things to count:

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How to have a safe winter hike

During the snowy season, parks can feel like our own personal winter wonderlands. Meandering through snow-covered trails and frozen forests can make an awesome day in the outdoors.

Here’s how to have a fun and safe time on your frosty foray:

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First Day Hike destinations

New Year’s Day is coming up fast — have you picked out a park for your First Day Hike on January 1, 2023?

This 10-park list rounds up some hot spots for your first foray into 2023:

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The great outdoors are… great!

Today’s blog comes from Sarah Higginson, a market development specialist with Ontario Parks.

August is over and so is the Healthy Parks Healthy People 30×30 Challenge.

This was my first year taking on the challenge (not counting the year I did it for two days then got distracted) and it was a magical month-long adventure filled with scenery, sunshine, and even some self-awareness!

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Take your run to the trails

Ready to ditch the treadmill or pavement for somewhere a little more scenic?

Trail running opens a whole new world for you beyond paved surfaces. And as with road running, it’s a healthy, simple activity with few gear requirements.

We’ve partnered with our friends at Merrell to share the health benefits of trail running, as well as what you need to know to get started!

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Nature is calling – are you listening?

When’s the last time you really appreciated your surroundings?

This summer has flown by. It’s been difficult to make time to get outside and experience the rejuvenating effects of nature.

Luckily, Healthy Parks Healthy People’s 30×30 Challenge happens every August! It’s a month-long opportunity for you to get outside into nature for 30 minutes for 30 days in a row.

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Five outdoor activities to improve your health

Who needs a gym membership when you have the outdoors?

Outdoor exercise has a stronger effect on blood pressure and mood than indoor exercise. Stress is relieved within minutes of exposure to nature as measured by muscle tension, blood pressure, and brain activity.

To put it simply, time spent outside is good for you! Let’s take a look at a few fun outdoor activities that can improve your health.

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“Check out” nature at your library!

Imagine a library; what do you think of? The smell of paper, the sound of turning pages, and, of course, books.

Well, now when you think library, we want you to think Ontario Parks too!

You and your family can now “check out” an Ontario Parks seasonal permit from a participating library near you!

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