Go Outside and Play!

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Debut Article for: Auglaize Outdoors

Go Outside and Play!

“You kids go outside and play!” was a regular theme voiced loudly by my mother over the chaos of activity in our house. Sometimes we slipped outdoors with ease, barefoot and careless, a rag-a-muffin band of urchins. However winter outings required hunting for coats, snow suits, mittens, hats, and boots to equip her brood of 7 children. These were short lived journeys because of frozen fingers and toes. Covered in snow from building forts and making snow angels back inside we would come to thaw out with a cup of cocoa.

Mom is no longer with us physically but the theme “Go outside and play” continues to resonate in her children. All grown up now, my siblings and I carry this theme into our adult lives as sailors, wind surfers, cyclists, swimmers, skiers, hikers, biologists, and birdwatchers. We are even passing this onto the next generation. A family banded together with the common thread of outdoor play.

Little did mom know that when she said “Go outside and play!” that we would take her seriously or take this as a direction for life. For example, I majored in parks and recreation in college and have since made a 25 year career in parks and land management. Currently I am the Director for the Heritage Trails Park District here in Auglaize County working to expand outdoor opportunities for everyone to enjoy.

And so Auglaize Outdoors invites you to look outside, observe our natural world, share these wonders with children, and discover the treasure of nature just outside our doors. Dig out your snowsuit, mittens, hat, boots and go outside. Put down the snow shovel or grain sack, find a little kid and teach them how you used to play in the snow. Pass on the traditions of a simpler time.

Allison Brady
Executive Director
Heritage Trails Park District: Outdoor opportunities for all to enjoy.
1.23.09