Mill Creek Beacon - Your Hometown News Source

The Mill Creek recreation staff has scheduled a summer filled fun and healthy living with activities and recreational opportunities at parks throughout the beginning with National Family Health and Fitness Day on Saturday, June 8.

Residents have been encouraged not to limit themselves to a single day or just one activity. City staff hopes to provide opportunities to help people get outside and take advantage of the City’s natural playgrounds that are available for the physical and mental well-being of families.

The healthy emphasis will include everyday possibilities like a 60-minute after dinner walk on the trails through Nickel Park or an outdoor game of Twister on the newly-installed turf at the Mill Creek Sports Park.

“Bubbles are always a good idea,” said Meredith Cook, in the city’s communications department. “Take a soupy bucket and multiple bubble wands and join the fun at Heron Park.”

Vendors at the Mill Creek Farmers Market, she said, will do their part to promote outdoor activity all summer long with meals prepared to be eaten on a picnic blanket available at the market beginning on Tuesday, June 18.

Formal activities will continue to be part of the summer schedule. Registration is now open for the annual Run with Heart on Saturday, Aug. 10.

Start training for the run by conquering your nearest park versus pounding the treadmill,” Cook added with a smile.

The newest member of the city staff encouraged residents to discover Geocaching in Mill Creek with scavenger hunt that kids, adults and their four-legged friends will enjoy. Learn more about how the program works by going to http://www.geocaching.com/play.

One of the newest additions to the summer schedule is the Mill Creek Selfie Trail.

Technology is often the culprit that keeps people indoors glued to a screen, said Cook. But Mill Creek has a great outdoor option that is enhanced by technology. The selfie trails have been designed to encourage young people to join adults from their household to take a selfie at 10 separate Mill Creek landmarks, post them on Instagram with hashtag #cityofmillcreek, and then create a scrapbook to store favorite shots.

View the trail online or print a downloadable map at http://www.millcreektourism.com/selfietrail.

Daylight scavenger hunts and nighttime critter searches are a great way to get an up-close view of the city’s park from a unique perspective.

She also recommended a nature scavenger hunt. Search for a bird feather, an animal track, or a uniquely shaped rock.

“It’s pretty amazing what people can find when they take a look around,” said Cook.

Or take a walk at night. Grab a flashlight and see what critters come out to play in City parks when the moon and stars are shining.

The array of outdoor activities have been coordinated by city staff in the city’s Recreation Department to get people active and involved. Learn about upcoming classes and enroll today at http://www.cityofmillcreek.com/recguide.

The summer of ’19 has a little something for everybody. The first step is to join the fun.