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Here you are, at the threshold of a new year. If you’ve set resolutions, you may not be exactly sure where to get started.

Whether you’re looking to be more active, learn more about nature, or simply spend more time outside, The Parklands offers many ways to make progress on your goals—on foot, on wheels, or at one of our events. In this article, find recommendations to help you begin a course toward a happy, fulfilling journey ahead.

History of New Year’s resolutions

The tradition of making New Year’s resolutions dates back to ancient Babylon. According to The Old Farmer’s Almanac¹, the Babylonians celebrated the New Year with a 12-day festival called Akitu, held during farming season. The celebration centered on the crowning of their king and promises to pay debts. One common resolution was to return borrowed farm equipment.

The Old Farmer’s Almanac also notes that the month of January takes its name from the double-faced Roman god Janus, who looked ahead to new beginnings while reflecting on the past.

Today, many people—about a third of Americans—continue the tradition of making resolutions, most of which focus on self-improvement, especially health.²

Setting Your Own Resolutions

As you step into the year ahead, you may find that you’re not feeling as resolute about your goals as you’d hoped. On a mild winter day, a visit to the parks with a journal in hand can offer a moment of creative inspiration. Choose a bench with a beautiful view. Each park offers options in nearly every direction.

For more ideas on making resolutions, including how to frame them positively, see The Old Farmer’s Almanac article referenced above.

Where the Parks Fit In

Health and wellness

Hiking, walking, and running. Whether you prefer to walk on a paved surface, hike on natural surface trails, or like to run along the multi-recreational Louisville Loop, your next adventure awaits at The Parklands. We have trails for all ages and abilities. For suggestions on hiking trails to try this season, read our blog article about fall and winter hiking. View all of our trails at theparklands.org/trails.

Cycling. This is one of the most popular ways to enjoy The Parklands, and the Louisville Loop is a favorite—not only for biking, but also for walking, running, and skating. If you want to practice your single-track skills, the Silo Center Bike Park in Turkey Run Park is open seasonally. Outside of the bike park, single-track trails are open year-round, though they may be muddy in winter. Use this as a chance to explore our paved paths, including 19 miles of the Louisville Loop stretching from north to south. Learn more about biking in the park on our website.

Paddling. While spring and fall are best for paddling on Floyds Fork, you may be able to take advantage of winter rain and unseasonably warm days. With 22 miles of this beautiful, natural waterway meandering through the parks, you can put in or take out at any one of seven access points along the stream in the park system. Water/CFS levels are updated on our website so you can keep tabs on the water conditions before and during your outing. Learn more about paddling at The Parklands here.

Other ways to experience nature

Birdwatching. If you’re among the roughly one-third of Americans who enjoy birding³—or are eager to try—The Parklands offers a great variety of species thanks to diverse habitats. To explore birding hotspots and start your own log, download the Cornell Lab of Ornithology eBird app.

For tips on birding basics, visit our YouTube channel to view “Park Roots: Birding 101.” Stay tuned for updates on events like birding hikes and the annual Great Backyard Bird Count.

Fishing. Throughout the year, you can fish at the William F. Miles Lakes in Beckley Creek Park, Boulder Pond in Turkey Run Park, or along Floyds Fork. In addition to the variety of fish species that call The Parklands home, Floyds Fork and select lakes and ponds are periodically stocked with game fish through the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources’ Fishing in Neighborhoods (FINs) program.

Fishing licenses are required for anglers over age 15, and a trout license is required for trout fishing. Practice catch-and-release in Floyds Fork to help conserve the diversity of this fishery. For more information, including the stocking schedule, visit our website.

Picnicking. Take in the outdoor air with some friends and a menu of your making. Maybe go with a fun theme. Each of our parks has its own designated picnic areas located at limestone gorges, lakeside overlooks, or sunlit hillsides. No matter what type of picnic you’re planning, we’ve got the spot for you. To learn more about picnic locations at The Parklands or reserve one of our rentable picnic shelters, visit our website.

Creek gazing. Pick a spot along the bank of Floyds Fork in any of the parks to feel sunlight on your face, hear the babbling water, and find beauty in the moment. Even when the creek is shallow or calm, its reflections of the surrounding scenery can be breathtaking.

Feeling awe and capturing the moment. Studies conducted by psychologists at the University of California, Berkeley, show that experiencing awe in nature can boost well-being. Even brief moments outdoors can reduce stress and improve overall health.⁴ At The Parklands, you can capture the moment in a photograph (and don’t forget to share it with us!) or try your hand at watercolor painting. As you stroll along the Poetry Trail in Beckley Creek Park, let the words of poets past and present inspire your own creativity.

Family Fun Time

Mark your calendar for family-friendly events like the Junior Explorer: Amazing Amphibians in March, our weekly Wednesday Wonders nature program, and seasonal StoryWalks! Hike a new trail together, maybe one from this list of trails that are great for kids, or enjoy an afternoon of laughter and building memories at one of our playgrounds, spraygrounds, or lawns.

For more ways to have fun with your family at our parks, like engaging your kids in picking out a favorite tree, read this 2023 blog article from our Education Team.

Community Events

At The Parklands, we have a wide variety of events scheduled throughout the year that bring people from our community together. Join The Parklands Walking Club for twice-monthly hikes led by our Rangers (once a month in colder seasons), attend an educational event or workshop like our upcoming Bluebird Box Construction session, or come out for our annual 5K (sign-ups open soon)!

Our events are a great way to connect with other nature lovers! Learn more about our upcoming programs at theparklands.org/events.

Giving back

If one of your resolutions is to give back to your community, volunteering can be a great way to do just that. Our next Volunteer Orientation will be held at the PNC Achievement Center in Beckley Creek Park on February 19. For more information, including a resource for questions, visit our website.

The Parklands is full of ways to help you reach your goals or just make the most of 2026. With countless opportunities to get outside, learn new things, and experience a little wonder, the parks are here to support your growth and outdoor adventures—365 days a year, for free.

As you set out to explore wonders of nature at our parks, we encourage you to become familiar with our park rules, which are set up to help ensure a safe, clean, fun, and beautiful visitor experience and to protect countless species of birds and mammals and native plants. You can find these rules and guidelines for your enjoyment and safety at theparklands.org/park-safety.

Help us deliver world-class experiences to visitors by donating and becoming a member. Join now or renew your membership!

Sources:
1) Catherine Boeckmann, “The Interesting History Behind New Year’s Resolutions,” almanac.com, December 31, 2025
2) Shanay Gracia, “New Year’s Resolutions: Who Makes Them and Why,” Pew Research Center, January 29. 2024
3) “Birding Is Soaring in Popularity with Sky-High Impact,” U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, December 9, 2024
4) Michael Roberts, “What Awe in Nature Does for Us,” Outside Magazine podcast, July 23, 2019