July is Park and Recreation Month, and this year is shaping up to be one of the best celebrations ever. Through this year’s OUT is IN theme, we’ve been able to reinforce the message that community parks and recreation, green spaces and time outdoors are critical for healthy, active and sustainable communities. In a recent survey conducted by Ipsos Public Affairs on behalf of NRPA, we found that nearly three in 10 U.S. adults do not spend time outside on a daily basis — another reason why we’re aiming to get everyone OUTside this July. 

To help this initiative, everyone has been challenged to spend more time OUTdoors and IN their community parks for recreation. With the #JulyOUTisIN social media challenge, we’ve seen lots of great ways you and your community members are getting OUTside every day. It’s not too late to participate.

July is sure to fly by, but the importance of engaging your community members IN the OUTdoors and IN your programs is constant. Even after Park and Recreation Month is over, keep encouraging your community to go OUTdoors and get INvolved. Consider joining other NRPA initiatives like 10 Million Kids OUTdoors.

Thank you to all who participate in Park and Recreation Month. Your ideas always blow us away, and we want to thank you for another successful year. We’re already thinking about 2015 where we’ll be kicking it back to the ‘80s for Park and Recreation Month’s 30th anniversary. Stay tuned!

Roxanne Sutton is NRPA’s Senior Marketing and Communications Specialist.