Feeling cooped up? A little vitamin D, fresh air and sunlight will do you some good! Arlington offers a variety of public parks, including what is surely the best green belt in the Lone Star State. River Legacy Park is a 1,300-acre urban oasis in north Arlington that winds along the curves of the Trinity River, so there is plenty to do and see while still practicing your six feet of social distancing.
Walking and biking trails: Did I mention 1,300-acres? If you’re tree hugger like me, that will give you plenty of room to roam. Peddle or hoof it over more than 8 miles of paved hike and bike trails. If you long for more of challenge, how about 10 miles of off-road mountain bike trails? The Dallas Off-Road Bicycling Association (DORBA) swears they are “some of the best around.” Being active in nature has excellent mental and physical health benefits, and it’s also great medicine for your soul under times of duress.
Nature lovers: The Park’s ecological diversity of bottomland forest, wetlands and prairie provide the perfect hizzle for migratory birds, fish, mammals, trees and native plants. Expect to see 400 species of wildlife, 193 species of birds and 28 species of trees.
Online events: Best of all, you can still connect to the park when you return home. The River Legacy Science Center staff is keeping busy with great content to help you family stay connected and healthy. Check out educational videos that range in content from hands-on activities and animal encounters to P.E. sessions and story time. ACESS HERE
Home school field trips: Home schooling can be a challenge for all sides, so why not call a mid-day recess? Grab your kiddos (including the fur babies) to explore these additional social distancing ideas:
- Picnic lunch under shady tree
- Fly a kite
- Teach young children to ride a bike
- I-spy during a nature walk
- Storytime or journaling on a blanket by the Trinity River
- Grab a birding book and see what you can identify
SAFETY FIRST: According to the city website, certain areas of the park may be closed, so please check the city’s website for up to date details.
Additional information about River Legacy and COVID-19 on the city website
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