(BLACK PR WIRE) -- Think about some of the issues affected by our modern, “big city” lifestyles:

• Isolation – Many people don’t know the names of their own neighbors.
• Health – Obesity and lack of physical fitness is a growing problem in today’s children.
• Environmental problems – Many people don’t appreciate the need to conserve our natural resources.
• Stress – Busy schedules don’t allow time for rest and reflection.
• Delinquency – Children with a lot of idle, unsupervised time are more likely to fall into irresponsible behaviors.

While there is no one single solution to cure all of the above problems, some resources making a difference are our public parks and recreational facilities. What better time is there than the summer months for you and your family to take advantage of this opportunity? July is National Recreation and Parks Month, but you don’t have to wait until then to get involved. According to the National Recreation and Park Association, public parks throughout the nation have events throughout July to launch their summer activities and recruit volunteers from the community.

How do parks help relieve so many problems? Parks are the meeting grounds where people of all ages, incomes and ethnicities encounter each other. Many public parks hold special social, educational and athletic functions for seniors and the disabled. For children, parks often host camps, after-school activities and recreational safety courses. All age groups can enjoy outdoor concerts, fishing, paddleboats, swimming, nature hikes, conservation sanctuaries and all the other services parks offer. People can also enjoy the other side of these outings as park volunteers.

Public parks provide the chance for socializing, exercise, and wholesome recreation for adults and children, many of whom are the most at risk without these services. They contribute to our ecological health by preserving wildlife habitats, plus the trees and vegetation control the amount of carbon dioxide in the air. Actually seeing and enjoying nature is the best way to impress the need for conservation on future generations.

So some afternoon, turn off the television, video games and iPod for a while, and look at some scenes that don’t require a remote control device. If you can’t get to a park, you can make one out of your own backyard and create some genuine recreation.