Alyssa Carroll of Bellefonte visits a local park a couple times each week during the spring and summer.
On April 21, her husband, Jason, needed to tend to his fishing supplies, so while he went to replenish his tackle box, she packed up their children — 2-year-old Kurt and 1-year-old Hayley — and headed to Orchard Park.
“Well, we figured we had a couple hours to spend so we decided to come here,” said Carroll. “It’s a beautiful park and there are lots for the kids to do here. It’s pretty open, so I’m not worried about them running off and getting lost. They have a great time here, and it gives me a little time to release some stress. Just being out in the air and watching my kids run around with big smiles on their faces takes the stress out of me. It’s one of my favorite things to do.”
Carroll said she visits Orchard Park frequently. Tudek Park is also one of her favorites. She said she likes to visit other parks in the area just for variety, too.
That’s common, said Beth Lee, recreation supervisor with Centre Region Parks and Recreation.
“We know a lot of families who travel to different parks for different things,” said Lee. “That’s what’s nice about the parks in our region. We have a little something for everyone. You just need to search things out. There’s lots to find if you just take the time to get out and explore.”
With 56 properties covering just more than 1,000 acres, there’s lots of CRPR public space to explore.
“Our big parks always get a lot of visitors,” said Lee. “Orchard Park has a little of everything and it’s in a very good location. Of course, Tudek Park, with the dog park and butterfly garden, always has a lot of people using it and its amenities. Spring Creek Park is beautiful being on the waterside and a lot of sports teams really enjoy the fields there.
“Circleville Park is very big and has some wonderful pavilions families love to use,” continued Lee. “It seems like all our parks, even our smaller ones, are being utilized more and more. It’s great to see families enjoying themselves there.”
There are always new additions as well.
This year, disc golf courses are available to play on at Circleville Park and Burnell Road Park, which is also locally known as “Airport Park.”
“It’s a really cool, airplane-themed park that’s really starting to grow in popularity,” said Lee. “It’s really popular with the kids.”
Lee said in addition to the benefit of healthy exercise a park provides, it also offers a great social location, for young and old alike.
“Kids meet new people at the park, but so do the parents of the kids,” said Lee. “Going to the park is a great social tool for everyone who makes a visit. It’s hard to visit a busy park and not leave with a new friend.”
