MOUNT VERNON – Ariel-Foundation Park will celebrate National Kids to Parks Day with a special free event from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, May 15, by “The Lakes” side of the park.
Kids and families can participate in a variety of activities provided by the park and several community partners. This day is supported by the United Way of Knox County.
Kids to Parks Day, celebrated annually on the third Saturday of May since 2011, is a national day of play that connects kids and families with their local, state and national parks. By discovering public lands, kids across the country can enjoy outdoor recreation, learn STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) and history, and embrace their important role as park stewards.
Activities will be socially distanced and include a scavenger hunt, dandelion life cycle research, a kid-safe foraging lesson, fun and easy herbal remedies and treats, coloring mandalas, bubbles, breathing and mindfulness exercises, field-day-style races, SPI To Go bags, reusable water bottles from Koko’s Kids Club, pine tree starters and more. Round Hill Dairy will also be on hand along with Music-2-Go by Jim Bonnette.
Families should park in designated lakeside parking or at Schnormeier Event Center and walk to The Lakes. Children are encouraged to bring their bicycles or scooters and helmets as well.
Community partners include the United Way of Knox County, Knox Community Hospital, the Public Library of Mount Vernon & Knox County, SPI, MTVarts, Wild Earth Herbals, Help Me Grow, the Parent Support Initiative of Knox Head Start, the Teen Advisory Council of New Directions, Mental Health and Recovery of Licking and Knox Counties, and Knox Public Health.
Families are encouraged to share their adventures on Kids to Parks Day by using #KidstoParks. It’s a great opportunity to meet new people and share a fun experience at a local park. National Kids to Parks Day is organized by the National Park Trust, which works with towns, teachers, families, park and public lands officials, and numerous partners across the country to invite kids of all ages to create their own adventures at their local parks.
To learn more about Ariel-Foundation Park, visit arielfoundationpark.org or follow Ariel-Foundation Park on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
