There’s a saying in Scandinavian countries: there’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothes. This winter, we’re taking a page out of the Scandinavian playbook and encouraging everyone to get outside, regardless of the temperature. We’ve come up seven solid ideas for outdoor fun for folks of all ages. Bundle up and pick a favorite (or try them all) for a safe winter activity!
As a parent, sometimes you’re at a loss of what to do with the kids when it’s cold out. Well, we have an outdoor roadmap for you—our Junior Ranger Program! This is a free program for kids of all ages to learn more about Roanoke parks and conservation of our natural resources. It contains activities for outdoor exploration and puzzles to keep the kiddos entertained while learning about our environment.
Shoot us a message or give us a call at 540-853-2236 to schedule a time to pick up your free booklet, or grab one from Roanoke Mountain Adventures or Walkabout Outfitter!
Roanoke Parks and Recreation maintains 37 playgrounds in the city, and we’ve recently created a checklist to help people hit all of them! Some are elaborate with musical instruments and wacky slides; some are more modest with a slide and swings, but each playground is worth a visit! And here’s a little tip: you don’t have to be a kid to enjoy a good swing or trip on the monkey bars. Click here to view the checklist.
Get Swole with Workout Stations
Did you know we manage the biggest free gym in the city? It’s true! Our parks and greenways can double as a gym to get your workout in. You can use swings to do some suspension training; playground equipment double as a pull-up bar. If you want something a little more “gym-like,” Countryside, Washington, and Vic Thomas parks all have workout equipment for you to use! You can create your own circuit for a great workout, and each of those parks include paved greenway/walking paths as well.
We’re VERY excited about this event! In an effort to encourage folks to recreate safely, we’re launching our PLAY Quest scavenger hunt! Play Quest is a game designed for you and your household to break out and fill your cold winter days with new experiences, community activity, and fond memories throughout the month of January. Teams earn points for completing missions, creativity, kindness, and more. Teams with the most points can win awesome prizes. Click here to register yourself or a team!
This is one of our more popular programs, and we expect it to be even bigger this year! The 100 Miler encourages folks to complete 100 human-powered miles in 100 days. It’s a great way to get back into a fitness routine after the holidays, and it’s a great motivator to get outside and explore your parks and greenways. There’s an online community to motivate and challenge you, and there’s an option for a pretty rad T-shirt, too. Click HERE to learn more and register.
Greenway Walks with Hot Bevs
Movement + Hot Cocoa = Warm and Toasty! The thought of going outside when it’s cold can be daunting, but we promise—once you start moving, it’s really not too bad. Another thing to make it more pleasant? A hot beverage! And we’re in luck because we have several local coffee shops along the greenway system. Bundle up, grab a coffee/hot cocoa/tea/cider, and meet a buddy for a jaunt on a greenway or trail!
When it is below 40 degrees this winter, our team will be rewarding folks who opt to play outside! We want to encourage everyone to recreate safely to prevent the spread of COVID-19, so a few times a month, we will head to parks and greenways and give prizes to folks we see playing when it’s cold out. Click HERE to learn more, and stay tuned to our social media pages to learn when we’ll be out.
This winter, don’t let cold temperatures deter you from safe recreation! Bundle up, grab the fam or a friend, and experience the city in the colder months like never before. Remember–this winter, there’s no such thing as bad weather!
