July is National Parks and Recreation Month!

On Tuesday, June 18th, the Southlake City Council proclaimed the month of July to be National Parks and Recreation Month in Southlake. Since 1985, America has celebrated July as Park and Recreation Month. This year, Southlake Community Services is inviting all Southlake residents to go outside and tell us why you love your parks and recreation!

‘July is Park and Recreation Month’ is a national campaign sponsored by the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA). The purpose of the campaign is to encourage everyone to visit their city parks, embrace active lifestyles and improve their overall health. Summer offers the perfect opportunity to create healthy habits for yourself and your children by getting out to a park, trail, playground, swimming pool, natural area or other public space. The City of Southlake offers numerous recreational opportunities to explore including 1200+ acres of park land, the Bob Jones Nature Center & Preserve, the Southlake Tennis Center and the soon to be built Texas Rangers Miracle League Field at Bicentennial Park just to name a few. These park and recreation opportunities enrich the lives of Southlake residents and provide natural spaces to play and exercise.

This year’s theme is “I Love My Park and Recreation.” The City of Southlake is encouraging everyone to get outside, go play and tell us why you love your parks and recreation! Take part in the July Parks and Rec photo contest where residents are encouraged to print the national poster and take a photo with it at a Southlake park or recreation activity to best demonstrate how much they love the Southlake Parks and Recreation. Be creative, silly or spontaneous, but make sure to submit your photo by Friday July 26!

How to submit your photo:

• Email:  parksandrec@ci.southlake.tx.us
• Twitter: Tweet us at @SLParksandRec and use hashtag #ParkRecLuv
• Facebook: Post on The City of Southlake Facebook page and use hashtag #ParkRecLuv

Winners (1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd place) will be selected and notified by Wednesday, July 31. Sharing on social media with #ParkRecLuv also enters you into the national contest for some great prizes through NRPA.

To help celebrate Park and Recreation Month, Southlake Community Services has also put together a special calendar of events that you can print or view online. Everyday in July, there is a highlighted activity for Southlake residents and visitors to do with their friends and family.  However you decide to celebrate, Southlake Community Services encourages everyone to start talking about the positive role parks and recreation has on their lives!