We always think of summer through rose-colored glasses – the nice weather, holiday celebrations, beach vacations, lounging around with a tall cold drink, and a great book.  But, summer can also mean a lot of stress if you try to pack in everything you can into this short 3-month season. Take some time to de-stress your summer!

According to the Mayo Clinic, the best way to relieve stress is to get active. Virtually any form of physical activity can act as a stress reliever. Even if you’re not an athlete or you’re out of shape, exercise is still a great stress reliever. 

There is no time like the present to get moving!

Here’s a bucket list of 10 “must-do” family outdoor activities at the Park District of Highland Park:

1. Walk 100 miles. Challenge each other to walk 100 miles over the summer.   The first one to meet the goal gets a coveted prize.
2. Bike the Parks. Do a bike tour of our parks.  Bike all the parks in one day or split up the town and tour over several days.
3. Play a Round of Mini-Golf.  Head over to the Highland Park Golf Learning Center and challenge each other to a game.
4. Take an Outdoor Fitness Class. The Recreation Center of Highland Park is offering outdoor family fitness opportunities.
5. Play Tennis or Pickleball.  We have tennis courts at nine different park sites throughout the city.  Dedicated pickleball courts are also located at Danny Cunniff and Woodridge Parks. 
6. Go for a Swim.  We offer opportunities to swim at both Rosewood Beach and the Hidden Creek AquaPark.
7. Stand-up Paddle or Learn to Sail.  The North Shore Yacht Club provides opportunities to learn how to sail, paddle, or kayak on Lake Michigan.
8. Take Your furry friend to the Park. Play “off-leash” with your dog at the Debbie Beitler Dog Park.
9. Play a Game of Basketball.  Outdoor basketball courts are located at numerous park sites throughout the Park District. 
10. Explore Nature.  The Heller Nature Center is a 97-acre preserve with more than three miles of trails to explore.