Top 10 Best Things Retirees Can Do at the Park

Everyone has a park nearby. Maybe yours is small with a gazebo and a handful of benches. Or maybe it’s a sprawling nature wonderland with trails, picnic shelters, and thousands of opportunities for adventure. Perhaps you already frequent your local park. Or perhaps you’ve driven past it a thousand times and never so much as stopped. And maybe, just maybe, you’re like me. Maybe you told yourself that you’d spend some more time outdoors when you retired. Perhaps you even declared it, out loud and in your heart. Now, you’re retired, and you still keep driving past that park without stopping. For whatever reason, you haven’t found the motivation yet. Well, no matter who you are or where you live, there are plenty of reasons to get outside. And, once you do, you’ll be glad you did.

Reasons to Get Outside

When we were kids, we couldn’t get enough of the great outdoors. We’d stay outside until the street lamps came on and our mothers hollered for us to come home. Then, something happened. We entered adulthood and lost touch with Mother Nature. Some of us might’ve moved to bigger cities, with more skyscrapers than trees. Or maybe we just plain lost the will to commune with nature. Whatever the reason, going outside is more than just an opportunity for fun. It’s also great for our health! Here are a few reasons why you should spend a little more time outside.

• It lowers stress and anxiety: These days, we all have a thousand reasons to be anxious, even in retirement. The next time you’re feeling stressed, go outside. Sunlight raises your serotonin levels, which can keep your energy and mood high and your mind clear.
• Better sleep: Believe it or not, spending time in the great outdoors can help you get better shut-eye. That’s because the cells in your eyes need a certain amount of light to keep your internal clock running right (according to WebMD). So, if you struggle with insomnia, you might want to step outside for a few minutes and enjoy a little sunlight therapy.
• Higher immunity: If you get sick a lot, then you might not spend enough time outside. Sunlight helps you get more Vitamin D, which, in turn, can fortify your immune system.
• It’s a social activity: Nowadays, we often lament that we don’t know our neighbors like we did in the old days. And while society has certainly changed, we also don’t get outside as much. However, if you step outside your home every now and then, you’ll see that the great outdoors isn’t empty! Take a walk, and you can encounter a smiling face or two. Step onto your porch, and you might just meet that new neighbor who just moved in next door.
• Boosts creativity: Have you ever been working really hard on a project, staring hard at your computer screen and wondering why your brain seems stuck in molasses? The next time you find yourself in such dire straits, don’t just close your laptop. Step outside and let the sunlight inspire you! The great outdoors can boost creativity and help you work through those pesky creative blocks we all encounter.

Now, without further ado, here are the 10 best things you can do at the park this summer…or whenever!

Observe Nature

Anyone who says the great outdoors is boring isn’t looking closely enough. There’s always plenty to see, if you know the right places to look. And the park is one such place! Whether it’s a trail through the woods, native plants, ducks on the pond, bluebirds nesting on a fence post, fish in the lake, or squirrels running about, there are a thousand things to see!

This morning, I took the photo above of sunlight at the top of tall ornamental grass on the border of our community vegetable gardens. Taking pictures of the beautiful things you encounter in nature is the perfect way to preserve your memories.

Enjoy the Fresh Air

Even a short time in the sun will give you some vitamin D. Fresh air is good for your lungs and spirit. Getting out in nature is rejuvenating. It’s good to get away from the computer and TV for a while.

Exercise

Get your exercise at the park in a natural way by using the walking trails. Join a walking club or walk with a friend, and the time will fly by. I am a member of the Park Place Pacers, and I walk every Tuesday and Thursday (and sometimes more). Many parks have a recreation center with a gym. Swimming pools are common at parks. In the community building, or in our case, the active adult center, my wife takes yoga, and I take Dancing with the Stars. There are Zumba and SilverSneakers exercise classes too!

Use the Park Facilities

Our park has a community building and an active adult center, and is building an amphitheater. There are picnic pavilions and barbecue grills. Many parks have recreation centers, as well. Others have picnic shelters, tables, and gazebos. Whatever the case, make the most of the park facilities! Have a picnic lunch with your family or a trusted friend. If your park has an outdoor theater, take in a show or two.

Play Games

There are all kinds of athletic fields at our park. I’d wager it’s the same at most parks! It’s nice to stop for a while to watch a 3-year-old take his first turn at T-ball or the older kids playing baseball, soccer, or lacrosse. Our park has two Bocce Ball courts, and we have a regular Baby Boomer team that plays on Monday mornings and Wednesday afternoons. Playing Bocce is great for socialization and physical activity. Boomer games that can be played at a park include:

• Adult softball
• Shuffleboard
• Horseshoes
• Badminton
• Pickleball
• Tennis
• Volleyball
• Table tennis,
• Bean bag toss, or cornhole as it is sometimes called

Enjoy Your Hobby

As I mentioned, I like to take photographs at the park. There are countless ever-changing scenes providing subjects. I’ve seen people with artist easels painting watercolor scenes at our park. You can also birdwatch or do a little outdoor yoga. Hikers can also have their pick of trails and get their hiking fill. If you enjoy geocaching, you’re bound to find a few caches at your local park!

Bring Your Dog

Bring your dog to the park and spend some time together, or just stop by and enjoy seeing the dogs running around chasing things and playing with other dogs. Nothing lifts the spirits quite like a cute dog having the time of its life in nature. Even if you don’t own a pooch, you might still be able to strike up a conversation with a dog’s owner and make a new friend.

Attend Local Events

Several times a year, our local park hosts art displays or craft shows where local artist have their wares for sale. It’s a fun, enriching way to spend the afternoon. Maybe your park doesn’t offer something like that, but they probably offer something else, like concerts or maybe free community lunches. I definitely recommend swinging by and taking in the sights and sounds!

Enjoy Free Entertainment

At our park, they offer movie nights with big-screen movies after dark. There’s nothing quite like settling down on a blanket next to my wife with a bag full of our favorite candies and watching a good movie with dozens of other people. And while you might have to deal with a pesky mosquito or two, it’s still way better than sitting in a cold theater with old popcorn crunching under your feet!

Live in the Moment

Just sit in the sunshine on a park bench and do nothing. Watch as people and pets go by. Sit and gaze at the pond and all the things happening in nature there. Stroll over to the community gardens and see how things are growing. Watch a bocce ball or softball game for a while. Trust me when I say you won’t regret it.

Visiting the park is fun, affordable, and good for you.

Parks are not just for kids, they can be a great retirement activity as well. Get out and take some time to enjoy your local park. What do you like to do at the park?

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