parks Archives — Thrifty Mommas Tips

How to Spend 24 Hours in Watkins Glen New York

Paula — Tue, 05 Nov 2019 14:07:43 +0000

The drive from Rochester New York through to Watkins Glen is unforgettable. Curving rural roads stretch out for miles and then suddenly the landscape switches carving down towards one finger-shaped lake after another. Wineries crop up on both sides of the road and the sloping rows of vines command attention. Welcome to Watkins Glen Watkins Glen, a small village that’s part of Finger Lakes New York wine region is a geological marvel. Oddly, I had no idea it was so spectacular and so close to home. We were guests while in Watkins Glen which means we received accommodations, meals and attractions in exchange for honest consideration. We left Rochester New York after a three day visit just as summer leaned into fall. On a whim, a few days before we left home in southern Ontario, I mapped out how close we were to Finger Lakes and decided we’d seize the day and explore a bit of the wine region and away we went to Watkins Glen New York. Turns out that was just what the doctor ordered. Watkins Glen is So Much More Than Racing Watkins Glen NASCAR Racing History The Watkins Glen International occurs every year in August and is extremely well known. The tiny village of Watkins Glen is home to the Watkins Glen International Race track which hosts NASCAR cup series and INDYCar races. The village hosted the United States GrandPrix of FormulaOne for 20 years from 1961-1980 through the serpentine, hilly, public roads of The Glen. Streets were closed off once a year for The GrandPrix until an accident occurred injuring many and killing one spectator. The race track was then moved to the top of a hill just outside the village. The Geography Serene Beauty Watkins Glen in Finger Lakes Wine Country is a little slice of heaven in upstate New York. It’s an easy destination and a memorable drive, which could be a romantic weekend or a fun girl’s getaway. Explore wine country and the natural beauty of Watkins Glen State Park, one of the most stunning state parks I’ve ever seen. The Finger Lakes Region Finger Lakes winery region gets its name from the 11 narrow glacial lakes stretching from Rochester to Syracuse. Each of the lakes is narrow and slim, fanning out a little like the fingers of a hand. The five largest lakes are Seneca, Keuka, Cayuga, Skaneateles, Canandaigua and in fact Seneca is 600 feet deep in some spots. Finger Lakes History A million years ago glaciers covered the area that now is Watkins Glen and Finger Lakes and they dramatically transformed the landscape. The most recent glacier moved through the shallow V-shaped river valleys leaving troughs in its wake. When the glacier receded from the area about 10,000 years ago, meltwater filled the troughs and created the Finger Lakes. The water of Glen Creek that once flowed gently into the valley suddenly flowed with much greater energy creating a waterfall. Water continues to cut away the sedimentary layer creating a gorge. In 1863, the gorge was first opened as a luxury tourist resort destination. The gorge was purchased for public use by the state of New York in 1906. What is There to Do in Watkins Glen? We arrived just after lunch and we drove straight to the downtown area and the Montouk Historic Falls District. Lunch time! On Main Street, there’s a restaurant that is a social enterprise that everyone visiting should make note of and patronize. Been There! A Community Café I’ll admit I wasn’t really so sure about this spot when we arrived. The menu is not large at all and it was pretty quiet. But the owner of Been There! A Community Café was cooking and working and she was extremely welcoming and chatty asking us where we were coming from and then she also invited us to a community dinner that evening. A community dinner? Yes, that’s right. This is a social enterprise, so every so often they open up the restaurant to the community and anyone who is in need of a free meal is welcome to join them. YOU have to admit that is pretty awesome. Their fare includes a wide range of hot dogs, light soups and smoothies. The smoothies are healthy and delicious. Shequaga Falls View this post on Instagram “Wilderness is not a luxury but necessity of the human spirit.” –Edward Abbey Our last week of summer was spent exploring Rochester, Watkins Glen Corning and Finger Lakes. This was our second stop in Watkins Glen. Montour Falls. The Drive to Watkins Glen through the Finger Lakes countryside is breathtaking. Girl’s trips with my two teens are always an adventure. One day my oldest asked me what my favourite memory was of our trip and I had to say sometimes it’s the little things it’s collapsing into laughter in the van over absolutely ridiculous jokes shared together. It’s when one of them decides they’re going to explore a new character or a voice or an accent and suddenly we’re all laughing so hard, we can hardly catch our breath. The waterfalls and wineries and activities zip lining and food are all memorable and spectacular but on the dark, rainy days when I’m trying to remember something that warms my heart it’s always the laughs shared. I wouldn’t miss these moments for anything. #travel #giftedexperience #wanderlust #family #familytravel #ifwtwa #getoutside #fun #nature #watkinsglen #fingerlakes #newyork #nature #waterfallsofinstagram A post shared by Paula Schuck (@inkscrblr) on Sep 9, 2019 at 8:08am PDT After finishing lunch, smoothies for my teens and coffee for me, we walked over to the first of many waterfalls we would see in our quick 24 hours at Watkins Glen. Shequaga Falls is in a tiny spot called Montour Falls, just a few minutes south of Watkins Glen. It’s extremely tiny at 1700 people, but the Falls are picturesque and worth walking to. You can park pretty close to them too if you simply want to get out and admire while taking photos. Watkins Glen State Park From there, it was on to the biggest attraction for me – Watkins Glen State Park. Did you know that Watkins Glen State Park was named one of the nicest state parks in the US? It’s easy to see why when you visit. State Park Facts Other Watkins Glen State Park Tips What’s it Cost to Visit Watkins Glen State Park? While, there is no fee to enter the park, there is an $8 parking fee. There’s a Visitor Center and shop at this entrance to the park, so they’re very helpful if you have any questions. While tourism tapers off here when the snow flies and the downtown is downright sleepy, the area relies heavily on wine tourism and wineries. Check out Five Star Trails if you are hiking throughout the state. On To The Wineries Sadly, I only had time to visit one of the wineries while in Watkins Glen, so after hiking we all headed to Castel Grisch wineries. The backdrop is a panoramic view of Seneca Lake. Sit on the patio overlooking the vineyards and the lake and just breathe while sampling from one of several sampling lists. They are organized according to varieties, but you can mix and match if you’d rather do that. Small tasting menu here too, if you are hungry. This was just a taste, which was definitely enough to whet my appetite to return to the area one day soon just for the wineries. I took a bottle of red home from Castel Grisch. The Finger Lakes area is the top wine producer in the state and was named the Number 1 Wine Region in the US by USA Today 2018 10 Best Reader’s Choice national poll. Where to Stay? Check Out Hotels Combined Secure Site and Book Your Own Stay Here: Well, the Glen Motor Inn was simple but it had stunning views and a gorgeous salt water pool outside. Dinner at Curly’s Family Restaurant Apparently, Curly’s Family Restaurant is a local institution. Portions are large and the food is home cooked comfort foods. I had the special, which was lightly breaded fish and it was very good. Service was great and attentive and the prices were affordable. Can’t complain at all. Get there well before 8 p.m. though as they close early. Great Escape Ice Cream Parlour LOVED this adorable old time ice cream parlour in Watkins Glen. Don’t miss it. They have dozens of flavours of soft serve! Also there are small vinyl records tacked to the ceiling. So cute and fun and that ice cream was FANTASTIC. After a day of exploring Watkins Glen and a night of eating followed by ice cream, we fell asleep pretty satisfied at Glen Motor Inn. Classic Chef’s Diner In the morning before we drove the roughly 70 minutes over to Corning to check out Corning Museum of Glass, we stopped for a delicious breakfast. One of my daughters told me this was her favourite meal of the trip. It was a hearty breakfast with great service again and not much of a wait either. Pancakes, or hotcakes, Belgian waffles and a wide range of options that include the traditional eggs, bacon and toast. Why Visit Watkins Glen? After just one day in Watkins Glen I knew I had to come back. The drive through Finger Lakes Wineries Region is blissful and scenic and easy to reach from so many other areas of Ontario and New York State. With waterfalls and wineries everywhere you look, Watkins Glen is charming and relaxing and a natural marvel.

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Mont-Tremblant National Park – The Beauty of the Laurentians

Paula — Tue, 17 Apr 2018 14:43:19 +0000

Quebec may be one of my favourite places on earth. It’s naturally splendid, resource rich, and always makes for a memorable trip. Plus, it’s no secret I love to be close to the mountains. Mont-Tremblant National Park, Parc National Du Mont-Tremblant, is a spot I had not seen until this past year. With its many rivers and magnificent Laurentian Mountains Mont-Tremblant National Park has something to engage every member of your family. On a press trip last summer I had the chance to visit the Laurentians and Mont-Tremblant National Park. This breathtaking park offers the full beauty of The Laurentians on display for all to enjoy. From hiking, biking and canoeing to cross country skiing, there’s so much that is appealing for nature lovers, couples and families here. Located in Grenville province, and covering over 1,510 square kilometres, Mont-Tremblant National Park is the oldest provincial park in Quebec, and also the second largest. Mont-Tremblant National Park is divided into three main areas – the Diable River valleys, Pimbina Creek, and Assoption River. In the summer, I had the opportunity to explore the Diable river (Riviere du Diable ) area of the park. Quebec always knock my socks off in any season. The parks of Quebec are great for affordable family vacations. Whether skiing or canoeing, I enjoy the natural beauty of this province, and it is well within driving distance for us in Ontario. For nature lovers, families and campers, Mont Tremblant National Park, is an adventure waiting to happen. It is a canoe lover’s paradise. In winter, you can cross country ski and fatbike. And there’s so much to do there in the spring and summer months too. Start at the Discovery Centre and you can visit for a day or camp for a week. It’s up to you. Day rates are less than $10.00. More fees detailed here in this Tremblant Sepaq guide. The Best of Mont Tremblant National Park As part of a media trip, I took part in several outdoor activities that highlighted the beauty of the Laurentians. When we visited the area we stayed at Mont Tremblant ski resort and took a bus to various activities and attractions. Although I was there in July, all of these activities can be enjoyed in spring, summer, or early fall. Winter has its own reasons to visit. Canoeing Water lovers will enjoy canoeing on the calm waters of the Diable River. Its sinuous twists and turns make for a relaxing 2 hour trip down the water while enjoying the flora and fauna of the area. As a major source of water in the area, the river attracts all sorts of wildlife, which you might get to see as you paddle along. It’s a perfect introduction to canoeing for beginners. Sounds quintessentially Canadian I know, but canoeing in Quebec is magical. The River Diable is calm and the mountain views are spectacular. Along the two hour canoe trip we took down Riviere du Diable there were pitstops, small beach areas you can stop at and enjoy a peaceful picnic. Or maybe you press pause to snap some pictures. Look up. The mountains are waiting for you and the Laurentians are a Canadian treasure. The Sepaq web site details many different types of canoe outings you can do at different times of the day. Hiking Hiking is one of the most popular activities in Mont Tremblant National Park, and it was easy to see why. Experiencing the wilderness of the Laurentian Mountains from the vast network of trails in the area is one of the best ways to take in all the majesty of the park. The trails feature short jaunts for beginners or long trails taking advanced hikers deep into the park. Warning you now – the bugs are hungry always – use spray and cover your exposed skin. Even my scalp and neck were bitten. And, I swear they bit me right through my long sleeved sun shirt. USE the good bug spray. Via Ferrata du Diable Speaking of hiking, advanced hikers looking for a real challenge should check out Via Ferrata du Diable. Featuring a 200 metre ascent and a challenging trek across the face of the Vache Noire cliff, this hike is an adventure not to be forgotten. It’s so challenging that hikers are clipped into a steel cable that runs the length of the hike as they cross the face using built-in steps, handles, beams, and various bridges. We did not have time to do this while visiting. BUT, this is one adventure you need to put on your bucket list immediately. Note the current information states you must be a minimum 4 foot 3 inches in order to do this activity. Biking Biking Mount Tremblant National Park is almost as popular as hiking. Get your heart rate up and your excitement too – by pedaling down the trail and looking for all manner of creatures and enjoying the trees and other formations of the park. Just like the hiking trails, you can choose a short ride or a longer ride if you’re experienced. Good for all ages really. Camping, Glamping or Staying in a Yurt There are many opportunities to stay in the park itself and experience it up close and personal in summer and fall months. Highly recommend it. In fact, I am considering making this happen with family this year. New to camping? No problem. Try Etoiles Ready to camp structures. If you are familiar with yurts at all then you can probably picture the Etoiles. It’s a cross between a yurt, tent and cabin. My camping style exactly. Meanwhile if you are an adventure lover, drive over to Mont Tremblant and do the Ziptrek Tour. You could easily stay in the national park and explore all this area has to offer. Need a spa day after all of the camping? Visit Scandinave Spa. Ziptrek Tours In the summer and part of the fall, Ziptrek Tours operates out of Mont-Tremblant ski resort. This 3-hour, guide-accompanied tour features an ascent of Mont Tremblant on a panoramic gondola, three forest walks, and informative presentations on the history of the region and its ecology. I lucked out and did Ziptrek on my last birthday. Mont-Tremblant National Park – Explore the Unmatched Beauty of The Laurentians If you get the opportunity to experience the unbelievable beauty of Mont Tremblant National Park in The Laurentians take it. Better yet plan to make it happen this year. If you’re planning an outdoorsy getaway, Mont Tremblant National Park is well worth a trip. I was a guest of Mont Tremblant and the Outaouais Region last summer. I received flights, accommodations and meals while there. My opinion is all my own. This post contains an affiliate link as a service to readers. If you make a purchase I receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.

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Parc Omega in Outaouais is a Wild Family Travel Adventure

Paula — Mon, 22 Aug 2016 10:33:24 +0000

This July we had a wild family adventure at Parc Omega in the Outaouais Region of Quebec. There are probably a lot of jokes to be made here about wildlife and family for instance. And I am not above cracking wise on occasion but this adventure was enjoyable from start to finish and it was a highlight of our family trip to Quebec. No jokes or puns needed. Just pure education, fun and memories made together at Parc Omega. Sharing Quebec with my Family The best part of travel writing and blogging is sharing adventures with my family and creating memories. We began our family trip this year in Gatineau Park and spent a couple of nights in the city of Gatineau, fourth largest city in the province of Quebec. We had one of our greatest adventures ever zip lining at Arbraska Lafleche in Val-des-Monts and then we headed North towards Montebello. But first Parc Omega. The Wildlife Adventure I had heard great things about this adventure travel destination and we were all excited to visit and see the park for ourselves. Isn’t there something about seeing animals up close that makes everyone feel young again? And what child does not love a wildlife adventure? Is Parc Omega Easy to Find? Parc Omega was easy to spot from the road to Montebello and signage is abundant. Thankfully the lineup of cars and vans waiting to get in moved fast. We listened for directions. Where bears are involved we want our children to have a healthy respect for how you behave. Naturally, we also wanted to be sure everyone was safe and that all rules were clear. Signs are everywhere telling you where you can park and get out to stroll around and where you should simply observe from the car or van. Tip: Bring a Bag of Carrots with you for some of the animals like the wapitis that you can feed. Drive Through Part of the Park You know how some wildlife parks have you ride through the grounds in your van or car and you worry about monkeys or other climbing animals doing damage to your vehicle? This is not that place. Parc Omega has North American and European animals, flora and fauna only and there is a very fluid natural flow to the entire atmosphere. Grounds are really well kept and spacious and all of the enclosures are integrated into the natural landscape. Wapitis greet you as soon as you drive in, but they are gentle and the worst you can rally expect from them is slobber on your windows as you feed them carrots. Tune In To the Radio One of my favourite Parc Omega features was the fact that they have their own radio broadcast. First, you get a map with instructions on where to tune in on Parc Radio 90.1 or 88.1. One channel is English and one is French. The taped radio show is informational and useful. Naturally, I enjoy that passive learning that gives children a chance to grow their little brains while not realizing they are being taught. How Long Does it Take? I was unsure of how much time to allocate for Parc Omega and expected we’d fill a few hours exploring. With 2,200 acres of wildlife and hiking paths to explore we could have spent 6-8 hours easily. In the end we stayed a good 4-5 hours and didn’t really want to leave. We saw bison, elk, wapitis, ibex, moose, deer, wild boars, foxes, timberwolves, musk oxen, coyotes, goats, bears and more. Finally, we watched two short educational shows so we could learn more about Parc Omega. Rescues We were a bit surprised to learn that there are numerous rescued animals and birds like racoons, owls, hawks and turtles that had broken wings or busted shells, even broken limbs or limbs that were missing. That made us like Parc Omega even more. After the raptors and rescued animals show we took a short walk to the show featuring the timberwolves. That was a huge hit. We arrived well before the show started and when there was nobody else around we climbed the lookout area where you are allowed to observe the wolf pack. The Wolves I was concerned we might not see any wolves being active. It was a hot and muggy day, but we spied about seven before the crowd showed up and the area got really busy. Keep an eye out for adorable wolf pups. So Natural There are many things I admired about Parc Omega, but another one is the design of the space. It is simply brilliant. Everything is built with natural materials. The wood structures make the space look like it is completely harmonious with the property and the animals themselves. An Unconventional Perspective Where there is opportunity to climb an observation lookout structure, do so because it often puts you at eye level with the animals, which is amazing. The kids loved that. You are not looking in through cages or barriers, but inside the environment itself watching from a safe space. After the shows, we took a hike through the forest to the other side, which is clearly marked as a petting zoo kind of area. My youngest found a kitten inside the barn. I was a bit concerned they’d both try to sneak it home. There were also many kids (baby goats) which were sweet as could be. There are horses and also a beautiful garden past the barn. Tip: Wear the Comfy Shoes. There will be a fair bit of walking. This is the point where I need to mention that there is also a wagon ride to get to the petting zoo area. But we like to exercise and keep the kids moving, so we walked as many places as possible. What Could Be More Canadian? Back to the van for the last couple of areas in the park. First stop. Moose. Now I can honestly say there were a few animals on my list of things I NEEDED to see. I had a short checklist and the top of it was a moose. I have never seen a moose in all my life and I am Canadian so I was pretty happy to spy this guy. We had much debate about antlers at that point and pretty sure we did not resolve it, but that’s for another day. Moose are impressive creatures. There was a mountainous area with Alpine Ibex (shown below) and they were pretty friendly. They’d approach the van looking for food. So we each had a chance to take snapshots of these guys. Again, I really loved that each particular animal was in a space that looked authentic. These Ibex were climbing rocky mountains. Bear Valley Last on my list – well everyone’s list for the day at Parc Omega – was Bear Valley. I was hanging onto the edge of my seat hoping like mad that we’d be able to spy some bears before we left. We have never seen bears up close, and that’s a good thing, but this day was magical. We saw several bear families running around and saw their homes too. BUT, I didn’t really get any stunning shots to write home about kind of thing until right before the exit – this guy. That bear and moose made my bucket list complete. I captured some decent pictures and we loved the day we spent at Parc Omega. I assumed we were completely finished at that point because we were exhausted, but my husband still wanted to check out Trout Lake and The First Nations Area. Hiking Trails, Totem Poles The totem poles and carvings were incredible and there were more deer of course. In this area you will find more hiking trails and a spot where you can feed the fish, or feed the deer. It is very picturesque for photos. Parc Omega is a gem. It is a must see spot for families and it is highly educational plus the design and perspective is truly unique. Parc Omega Stats: Parc Omega is about 80 kms north of Ottawa-Gatineau area. It is about 110 kms to Montreal and 80 kms to Mont Tremblant. The park is affordable, educational, very family friendly and open year round. There are many opportunities to camp on site. There are three prospector tents, three Witents (circular shelters that combine the best features of a yurt, teepee and igloo), a cabin on stilts, two log cabins and ten teepees. We were guests of Tourisme Outaouais while in Montebello and Gatineau and we thoroughly enjoyed the entire visit. My opinion is always truthful.

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Six Things We Can’t Wait to Do in Outaouais Region of Quebec #travel #OUTAOUAISFUN

Paula — Mon, 18 Jul 2016 12:07:38 +0000

This post contains affiliate links as a service to my readers. If you make a purchase via one of the links I make a small commission at no extra cost to you. This month we are heading to Outaouais Region of Quebec as a family to explore the area and share some of the fun things we find. I have been looking over our itinerary all week and getting excited. That’s part of the thrill of travel after all, isn’t it? Outaouais Region has a lot to offer for families so I can’t wait to go see for myself soon. Six Things I Can’t Wait to Do or See in Outaouais Region of Quebec: Now, let me preface this my saying we have only been to Quebec a couple of times. We travelled to Mont Tremblant back in 2015 and we learned to ski there. That was a great trip. The girls and I headed to Montreal for our first ever girl’s trip to Quebec right around my birthday in 2014. We only stayed two days then. This time we have most of the week in the Outaouais Region. I love Quebec. The scenery is beautiful. The history is incredible and educational. The art makes me happy, especially in public spaces, and I love more than anything listening to my girls practice French when we visit Quebec. That makes me happy. [tweetthis] Outaouais Region of Quebec has many fun family activities #travel #OUTAOUAISFUN[/tweetthis] This is our first time ever in Outaouais Region of Quebec. We will head to Gatineau this month and stay there for two nights as we venture out taking in the parks and museums and of course hitting some shoppes for a few treasures. My one daughter has saved money from her job so she can afford to buy a couple of chic little outfits. And naturally I assume there will be great food while we are here in Outaouais Region, staying in Gatineau. Food in Quebec is always an art. After that we head to Montebello and stay in the world’s largest log castle. July is apparently also Family Month in Quebec. So I look forward to seeing what that entails and I am happy to be able to bring the whole family with me for this summer vacation. I am so ready for a gorgeous trip to Quebec and a dose of French Canadian culture. Gatineau Park – We will start our adventure here. I have been watching Gatineau Park on Twitter for a few weeks and it looks to be so beautiful and large. This park is 361 KMs of hills and forests. Great for bike riding and hiking, swimming, cycling and camping. I want to take pictures from Champlain Lookout and I really look forward to learning more about Pink Lake. Listening to my girls speak French. My kids are French immersion kids and I love how they lapse into French effortlessly whenever we visit Quebec. They are my translators and who knows maybe I will pick up a phrase or two. Arbraska Lafleche – Cave and Aerial Parks. The largest natural cave in the Canadian Shield is here. That’s cool! I love that summer travel to Quebec is a great way to sneak in some learning too. The kids don’t even know they are still learning when it is so much fun! At Arbraska Lafleche some of us will be trying zip lines, Tarzan cord and suspended bridges!! I hope to be brave enough to get some pictures of us doing all of that! Canadian Museum of History – Well, look at that, more chances to learn. HMMM…Follow them at @CanMusHistory. There is a children’s museum here too and an IMAX theatre. Incredible accommodations: Fairmont Le Chateau Montebello – The world’s largest log castle?! Sign me up. I love the cool architecture in Quebec and this Fairmont will not disappoint, I am sure of that. Ramada Plaza Le Manoir du Casino – Family friendly accommodations in Gatineau. Facing Lac Leamy, the Ramada Plaza Le Manor du Casino has a spa, pool and fitness area too. Seems perfect for families. Parc Omega – I have heard about this spot from many of my friends. I know it is a 1,500 acre park with animals from deer to moose, bears and wolves. There is ample space to camp and glamping is an option here too. You can drive through the grounds and see all the animals from the comfort of your vehicle. Woot!! I am a guest of Tourisme Outaouais while in the area. Follow our adventure with #OutaouaisFun

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Win $25 K for Your Park – Kraft Celebration Tour #KCT

Paula — Sat, 01 Jun 2013 01:04:00 +0000

It might not have made front page news, but the day they unveiled Mayor Norm Jary Park in Guelph, the world shifted just a little bit for my brother and I. First of all, we had our pictures in the local daily, The Guelph Mercury (local section). That in itself was an event – and pretty cool for a grade schooler. I recall the photo opp with the mayor. I think I might have been nine or so standing in the background and my little brother was cute as a button perched atop a slide. Aside from the school playground and the sloping backyard where I collected toads, pussy willows and crab apples, that neighbourhood park would become our hangout. We rode our bikes there together after school and played on the climbing equipment, sliding down slides, swinging on swings and playing at – the business of being kids. I remember the day my best friend Sheila and I, found a five dollar bill in a wallet with no ID. We plotted our adventure and came back the next week. That Saturday we rode our bikes all the way down to Home Hardware which was much further than we were allowed to go, and then we stopped at the park on the way back to peruse our purchases. It was the best place to share secrets. Some Fridays after school my Mom visited a lady nearby named Mary and while they talked boring grownup stuff and shared tea we built worlds out of our imaginations and shared dreams. Sometimes we met new friends and practices our social skills. We just thought we were having fun. Now I am a parent with kids of my own. I cherish outdoor time with my girls and a lot of our special times are set at parks. Luckily, we have some pretty great community parks in London. Recently a gorgeous splash pad went in to one of those parks and my kids will ask to go there often this summer. We enjoy Gibbons Park in the old North area of town also. My Mom just last Mother’s Day 2012, my brother, my niece and my daughter Payton at Gibbons Park Over the last few years I’ve had a lot of great times at parks, and strangely a lot of debates about the importance of parks and playground spaces. Sometimes the debate goes like this: kids don’t need stuff and equipment, just give them a backyard and a ball to play and they can be creative. That might be true for a very small segment of the kid population, but I believe most kids and families benefit from playgrounds, parks and equipment and splash pads and open spaces and nature. Maybe throw in a ball or two too. In my childhood, playgrounds were important canvases to build our imagination, grow our social skills, strengthen large and fine motor skills and share secrets. In the last couple of years, playgrounds and parks have been the backdrop for summers off school, and fun family celebrations. Those times are precious now as with each passing year the kids grow so much bigger, and older members of our family get frailer and less able to join in the celebrations. Right now you can nominate a community park in your neighbourhood for the Kraft Celebration Tour. The Kraft Celebration Tour recognizes the passion and community spirit that brings people together and promotes healthy, active lifestyles. Since 2009, the Kraft Celebration Tour has helped hundreds of thousands of Canadians in 40 deserving communities with a total of $1 million toward projects such as: Building a skateboard park Upgrading a sports field Improving a boxing facility Renovating a community youth centre Right now you can nominate your community (kraftcelebrationtour.ca) to win $25,000 to create something new or improve an existing space you love. And as part of the package you can win a TSN broadcast of the celebration. Canadians can nominate their community online at kraftcelebrationtour.ca and tourneedecelebrationkraft.cauntil June 7. To nominate a community, Canadians are asked to submit a short essay and up to five photos explaining why their community deserves to be a part of the Kraft Celebration Tour and how the $25,000 community award will go towards the creation or improvement of a local community space. The essay should also touch upon how the award would help promote community spirit, a passion for sports, and an active lifestyle. This post was compensated and is a partnership between thriftymommastips.com, Kraft and Mom Central Canada. My opinion is all my own.

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