A park outing (also, why a $40 park membership is so worth it!)
For the last few years I've plunked down $40 for an annual membership to our local park system.
Why?
Because once I've spent the $40, I'm much more motivated to actually go to the park. Something about having to pay for it each time makes me loathe to go, so even if I really only break even by buying the park pass, it's totally worth it just for the motivation factor.
And really, $40 for a year is pretty darn reasonable.
We've been awesome at making the most of our membership this fall...just in the last few weeks, I've gone with my sister, done a photo session at the park, and the six of us have spent two Sunday afternoons at two different parks.
This last time, we brought charcoal and grilled.
But we've also done a cold, picnic-y meal too.
The company and the outdoor setting matter more than the food, I think.
Doesn't it crack you up when the kids crouch down to observe something?
Besides offering a lovely place to eat,
and beautiful scenery,
our parks also have great biking/skating/scootering paths,
beautiful beaches (not quite Myrtle Beach, but still nice),
fields to play in,
and playgrounds.
(Mr. FG took this one and I love it!)
It's very undignified of me, but I play a speed-sliding game with the girls, racing them to see who can get to and go down the slide the fastest.
I've never claimed to be dignified anyway.
Zoe on the left in this next one? Totally hilarious.
I love that our kids are at an age where it's pretty easy to notice a lovely afternoon, pack everyone up, and head out to the park.
Life is good.
And beautiful.
And if you've got a park near you, you should go enjoy it! It's probably some of the cheapest fun you can find.
You have such a beautiful family. I haven't been to the local park in a month (at least). You're always reminding me of good things to do-thank you! The worse part about that is that we get in FREE as the parks in our county allow military families entry at no charge.
Ooh, nice! Free can't be beat. 🙂
LOVE the slide game idea! We will totally play that.. They even fixed up the park near our house so it has a double slide now.
Great pics, too!
Beautiful family! Looks like pages right out of a Family Circle magazine..lol
So many great pictures of the family! This post makes me happy.
Great stuff. Lots of happy people in those pictures. As the old song goes, the best things in life are free (or in this case, ridiculously inexpensive)!
Yes! And often the simplest things are the best.
You've convinced me-I'm going to have my act together for next spring/summer. Your outings look like way too much fun 🙂
I absolutely ADORE that photo of the sandy foot on the log. It's beautiful and captures one of those great childhood moments. It also happens to be a very good photo. 🙂
I complain all the time about our property taxes here in NJ and that we have to pay to get on the beaches, but our parks are free. I didn't realize thet some states charge a fee. You do have to pay for parking in some parks, but state and county parks are free. I think you are right that it is worth the money, though, and I would definitely pay if they charged a membership. My son lives in MD and belongs to the National Zoo. I think it's about $40, too, and worth every penny. It's free to get in the zoo, but the membership gives you parking and access to lots of events all year. They definitely go more often because they are members.
We also like memberships to science and history museums. Lots of fun learning in those and a membership means you don't have to try to do too much in one day because it doesn't cost more to come back another day. If you have those memberships while traveling you can often get free admission to others along your route with museum exchange programs. Plus many state history museums have sites all around the state you can visit as well.
Love the pics! In the last one, though, Sonia kind of broke my heart. I hope she wasn't as sad as she looked. 🙂
Interesting. I don't think she looks sad at all. That's why this pic is so good. It invites the viewer in. Makes you ask questions.
Thanks, namastemama. Looking at it again, she doesn't look sad to me, either. And I feel rude for having said that...
Oh this post just makes me happy. 7 pictures of you and in each one you are smiling and loving life. Your kids look to be having a blast as well.
I'm going to have to research places around here where we can just go and explore! 🙂
I am so jealous. That park looks beautiful.
You're right! I realize after reading this that I've already transitioned to the fall/winter mode of "it's too cold and muddy to be outside very much," but in Ohio we're still having some beautiful days in the 70s. Thank you for inspiring me to get my act together and get outside and enjoy these last few days of beautiful weather!
I'm in Ohio, too! I just walked 4.6 miles today - home from the Y (1.9), then later in the afternoon 2.7 miles to a local beautiful park in Blue Ash, OH.
I agree about parks - we pay a nominal fee each year to have access to Hamilton County parks, including Winton Woods, and it is worth every penny! There's a local park half a mile from our house that I walk the kids to every day that the weather is not rainy. I'd go there even more often, except my son won't go on the slides if it's too cold or hot!
I have a stressful and hectic job at a law firm and like your blog because it offers a respite from many things (besides the consumer culture of more more more). Thank you and keep up the good work.
Are you paying to visit state parks or playground parks? In Michigan we have to pay to visit state parks. It's now $10.00 if you get the pass while renewing your car registration. Thankfully, our public beaches and playgrounds are all free.
Bless you for supporting the park! Sometimes the things that are free aren't really free, there is upkeep and maintenance,etc. It takes some cash to make sure these things survive for the benefit of everyone, whether they can or do pay anything or not.
Yay on you.
That is a beautiful family pic of the kids. Frame it BIG. I can 'see' all their personalities.
Adorable, FG. These make me smile.
I'm surprised you guys have to pay to use your parks. The only parks we have to pay to use in Texas are state parks, which we have quite a few of. I would be willing to pay a fee if that's what it took to make our parks nice. Luckily, right now, the cities and counties have been able to keep up the parks without charging a fee.
The pictures are awesome and have inspired me to plan another family park day, since we all haven't been together in a while. I take the kids sometime during the day, since we homeschool, but my husband is usually at work.
WOW I hadn't thought about the fact that people pay to go to the park! I won't take them for granted again! Here in NZ just about all our parks/beaches/playgrounds are free, I think (but not 100% sure) that we pay tax and local council rates to keep up the parks. We love going to the park/river/playground and do so very regularly! I LOVE free family outings!
It's pretty common to pay something for county or state parks in the US. We pay something like $10 for our county park pass (which you really only have to pay if you want to park in the park - if you live close enough to walk, you don't have to pay), and state passes in Ohio usually aren't much more.
Part of that is because property and income taxes are usually lower compared to places like NZ, so you "see" the park cost more directly!
Your area is the only one I've ever been to where you have to pay for parks. Here, all parks are free - both community and state. But, I understand why you pay as it allows for a cleaner atmosphere and a better kept park overall. Glad it's working out for you, and I totally agree that the $40 membership is worth it!
Great pictures! With all the craziness of ever day life I often forget how nice it is to go out and do something simple and fun with the family. Thanks for the reminder!
Ana
Joshua and Lisey have such similar smiles! I also like that he's got his arm around Zoe in one picture. 🙂
That is so interesting! I live in Georgia and have never heard of having to pay to use a park, other than a state or national park. I have never had to do that. All of our local parks are free of charge, and I am so glad! Although if I had to pay for it it may motivate us to go more frequently too.