National Park Trust and American Academy of Pediatrics Join Effort to Encourage Families to Plan Park Visits

May 16, 2023

Kids Need Parks and Parks Need Kids. Kids to Parks Day is May 20th!

Washington, D.C. (May 16, 2023)/OUTDOOR SPORTSWIRE/ – Thirteen years ago, National Park Trust launched Kids to Parks Day. Held annually on the third Saturday in May, this year’s national day of outdoor park play and recreation will be held on Saturday, May 20, 2023. For 2023, National Park Trust is teaming up with the American Academy of Pediatrics and Mental Health Awareness Month to promote the many physical and mental health benefits of getting outdoors and enjoying nature and parks.

Families are encouraged to explore new parks, public lands, or waters or revisit a favorite and plan a day of outdoor activity, which Park Trust hopes will inspire families to plan park trips and outdoor fun throughout the summer months.

“Getting outdoors and being active is so important for children’s mental and physical wellbeing,” said American Academy of Pediatrics President Sandy Chung, MD, FAAP. “The scientific evidence tells us outdoor play is good for children’s health. Plus, most children love it! On Kids to Parks Day, take your children to a park for summer fun, exercise and better mental health.”

“Whether or not your local park is planning a special Kids to Parks Day event, we hope families will get outdoors, be active and plan a fun outing to launch the summer park season,” said Grace Lee, executive director of National Park Trust. “As we like to say, kids need parks, and parks need kids.”

National Park Trust has a robust website, www.parktrust.org, to help families find outdoor events around the country and activity guides that help to plan a fun adventure. Additionally, families can download National Park Trust’s free ParkPassport mobile app to access park-specific information.

Founded by National Park Trust, the mission of Kids to Parks Day is to foster the next generation of park stewards. “By engaging kids in memorable outdoor experiences while discovering and exploring parks, kids learn about park stewardship, outdoor recreation, STEM, and the history of our country and its amazing national treasures,” added Grace Lee.

ABOUT NATIONAL PARK TRUST

Celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2023, National Park Trust’s mission is to preserve parks today and create park stewards for tomorrow. Since 1983, the Park Trust has acquired many of the missing pieces of our national parks, benefiting 52 national park sites. Our national youth education and family initiatives, including our Buddy Bison Programs and National Kids to Parks Day, serve hundreds of Title I schools annually and cultivate future park stewards. We believe that our public parks, lands, and waters should be cared for, enjoyed by, and preserved by all for current and future generations. Find out more at parktrust.org.

ABOUT American Academy of Pediatrics

The American Academy of Pediatrics is an organization of 67,000 primary care pediatricians, pediatric medical subspecialists and pediatric surgical specialists dedicated to the health, safety and well-being of infants, children, adolescents and young adults. For frequent updates on AAP recommendations, Pediatrics studies, AAP in the news, public awareness campaigns, information for parents and more, follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/AmerAcadPeds.

To learn more about Kids to Parks Day, please visit kidstoparksday.org

MEDIA CONTACT: Ivan Levin at 540.818.5818 or ivan@parktrust.org

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