Nature Centers/Walks

The department plans, operates and maintains county parks and recreation areas which include playgrounds, golf courses, botanic gardens, landscaped areas around county buildings, recreational trails, riding trails and bicycle paths. Services include park security, lifeguard services, physical fitness, swimming instruction, lakes and ponds, camp grounds, picnic grounds, playgrounds, athletic fields/courts, toys/toy loan, computer and related technolgy classes, museums, recreational trails, tiny tots, recreation leadership, lectures, nature study centers in wilderness areas operation of major regional recreation areas. During heavy rains or floods, sandbags and sand may be available. There are no geographic restrictions.

The Healthy Parks program offered at locations throughout the county provides a family-oriented wellness and fitness program. Healthy Parks includes periodic health screenings, prenatal fitness programs, physical fitness programs for youth and adults, nutrition education, and special fitness programs for youth at risk of obesity.

Some county regional parks feature fitness zone areas with outdoor aerobic and skeletal exercise equipment. The equipment provides high impact resistance for exercise alone or in groups.

The department maintains recreational trails throughout the county.