According to the National Recreation and Park Association, spending time in a park provides a variety of physical and mental health benefits, including opportunities to exercise, play sports, hike, swim, and enjoy a variety of activities. Doing an activity or simply strolling in nature’s calm serenity also increases cognitive performance and well-being by alleviating illnesses like depression, attention deficit disorders and Alzheimer's disease.
 
Recreational parks are essential for after school programs, youth sports, and environmental education that positively impact childhood education and development. They also increase economic development in our neighborhoods by increasing property values, expanding local tax bases, increasing tourism, and reducing crime. These are all important reasons for why I am introducing a resolution to designate July 2024 as “Park and Recreation Month”.
 
Parks and Recreation Month is an opportunity to recognize and appreciate the beauty and positive benefits of nature in our environment, and how parks serve as pillars in our communities for everyone to play, learn, and feel calmer in a fast-paced world. Please join me in supporting this resolution to designate July 2024 as “Park and Recreation Month” in Pennsylvania.