It’s Park and Recreation Month: Discover the ‘Power Of’ Connecting With Nature at The Parklands
Happy Park and Recreation Month! Every July, the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) celebrates parks and the people who make these spaces possible, a tradition that has continued for more than 40 years. For 2026, NRPA selected the theme “Power Of” to highlight the many ways parks and outdoor recreation improve our lives.
Just how powerful are parks in our communities? One indication is how many people make parks part of their regular routines. According to NRPA, an estimated 227 million adults or a household member visited their local park or recreation facility in 2025.*
At The Parklands, we average nearly 4 million visits each year. For perspective, over the course of 2025, we hosted more visits than Glacier National Park.** This reflects our role as a vital community asset in the Louisville region and beyond.
If you’re new to The Parklands, here are a few ways the power of parks may reveal itself during your next visit:
Power of Play, Discovery, and Exploration
Nearly every day, kids enjoy being kids in nature at places like the spraygrounds at Beckley Creek and Broad Run Parks. Their delighted squeals are as much a part of summer as cheerful birdsong.
Play brings fun and so much more. It helps children build confidence, curiosity, and creativity. When kids get outside to explore, imagine, and discover something new, they’re developing skills and a lifelong connection to the natural world.
At our summer camps (limited spots still available through July), kids can hike, fish, kayak, and enjoy other outdoor activities. Our weekly Wednesday Wonders programs encourage children to connect with nature through hands-on science and creative play, while our Wee Walking Club invites kids and their parents or caregivers to explore trails together. Beginning on July 17, families can also enjoy our Summer StoryWalk® along the Egg Lawn Signature Trail. Learn more about upcoming events on our website.
This July, and throughout the year, the wide-open sky’s the limit on the learning you can enjoy in our parks.
Power of Experiencing Nature’s Wonder
Taking in a field of wildflowers on a summer day is one of the many wonders visitors can experience at The Parklands. So is catching a glimpse of a deer or other wildlife. As you hike or bike along a trail, or paddle along Floyds Fork, experiences like these leave you feeling renewed, exhilarated, relaxed, or somewhere in between.
Best of all, this feeling stays with you after your visit. For tips on achieving mindfulness in nature and ways to practice it at the parks, read this 2025 blog article.
Adventure for a mile or more at The Parklands or simply sit in a shady spot, and enjoy the benefits for days, weeks, or even longer.
Power of Community
The Parklands offers spaces to have a picnic, mountain bike with fellow riders, or go on a leisurely stroll with family and friends. Each is a reminder that parks have the power to bring people together.
We thank you for being part of The Parklands community. If you missed our 2026 Membership Drive in June and would still like to support our mission, there’s always time to become a Member by making a donation. Find out more on our website.
Power that’s Multifold
In July, you might join The Parklands Walking Club for a session, or maybe you’ll go on your own hike with family or friends. Either way, you’ve experienced the power of connection, discovery, and simple summer fun. Or, if you’re someone who turns to the parks for solace, you might spend a morning enjoying the shade and beauty of the Moss Gibbs Woodland Garden. With its three rondels, or garden “rooms,” and plant life illuminated by breathtaking angles of sunlight, the power of this place is magically multifold.
With extensive trails, reservable pavilions and venues to celebrate loved ones, year-round events, and countless quiet garden areas, there’s no one single pathway to venturing out in nature or finding a serene escape at The Parklands. That’s the real superpower of our park system. It’s designed to be safe, enjoyable, and welcoming for all—365 days a year, for free.
Ready to experience the power of parks for yourself? Plan your next visit on our website. To learn more about Park and Recreation Month, visit NRPA.org.
*National Recreation and Park Association, “2025 Engagement With Parks Report,” nrpa.org, December 17, 2025
**Per National Parks Service “Annual Park Recreation Visits,” visitation stats published in March 2026