Join us at the first annual Meet Me at the Park event.
Saturday, April 17, 2021 11 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Depot Park in Issaquah. The community is invited to attend MEET ME AT THE PARK - a free community event that brings neighbors, friends, and family together in a local park. The event includes free kids activities, a food truck rodeo, live music, educational workshops and a vendor fair with local businesses. “With summer just around the corner, we wanted to create a community event that brings people together and provides resources to recreate responsibly,” said CEO and founder of Nature is Open, Bethany Kennedy. “Parks and trails in the Pacific Northwest are particularly busy in the summer, and it’s important that we spend time educating, informing and inspiring people on ways to play it safe this summer." Nature is Open is a local organization that partners with businesses, agencies, and community members to organize volunteer opportunities in local parks, plan guided trips throughout the area, and educate people on responsible recreation. Since being founded, the organization has planned 25 tree planting events, and held 38 guided trips throughout the region- serving just over 700 customers. This event is about giving back to the community and providing something fun for all ages and interest. Event Schedule 11 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
FREE Workshops: 11:30 a.m.: Responsible Recreation for kids 101 12:00 p.m.: Tree Planting in the summer 12:30 p.m.: Bike Helmet Fitting 1:00 p.m.: Hiking 101 Demo The first 150 participants will receive a FREE reusable tote bag with an RSVP.
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MEET THE NATURE IS OPEN TEAM! Meet Tara! Tara is a Parks Ambassador and is responsible for planning tree planting events, volunteer work parties, and educational workshops for youth. She has worked in parks and recreation for the past 4 years and is currently pursuing her Masters Degree in Parks Planning. Become a volunteer like Tara. Meet Garrett! Garrett is an instructor with Nature Is Open. He leads hikes, bike rides, mountain climbing excursions and river rafting trips in Eastern Washington. Garrett grew up in Redmond and is an avid outdoor enthusiast. He has climbed Rainier, Everest, and backpacked through Europe for 9 months to explore the wilderness. Find an upcoming activity with Garrett to get to know him better. Meet Bethany! Bethany is the CEO and Founder of Nature Is Open. She is an Eastside native and has worked in Parks and Recreation for over 17 years. She founded Nature Is Open to bring people together and build community in a unique way. Outdoor recreation is a passion for Bethany and she enjoys working with clients of all ages on various trips throughout the region. Meet the whole Nature Is Open team at the MEET ME AT THE PARK event on April 18.
RSVP to reserve your free Reusable Tote Bag Mia moved to the Pacific Northwest at the beginning of 2021, and now calls Issaquah her permanent home. Here is what Mia has to say about her experience with Nature Is Open.
I had just moved to the Pacific Northwest in 2021 and didn't know anyone. One of the reasons I moved to the area was to take advantage of the outdoor recreation opportunities. I had no friends, didn't know much about the local community, and decided to do some research online. I came across the Nature Is Open website and decided to sign up for one of their Hiking 101 class. Not only do I feel more confident about my ability to explore the local outdoors in my community, but I met other people who were like-minded, and had a passion for outdoors. I feel like I made instant friends with the staff and participants. I feel more plugged into the community and love that I get to experience the beauty of my new home. If you are new to the community and looking to get connected, I highly recommend that you register for one of their free workshops, clinics, or activities. They are so much fun and the staff are great! - Mia, customer since 2021 Many of us may have found the desire to spend more time outdoors either during or following the COVID-19 pandemic. The role of parks during the pandemic was crucial to the mental and physical health of our communities. For us at Nature Is Open, we know in our hearts that mental health is related to having access to outdoor spaces, such as trails and parks. According to the National Recreation Parks Association (NRPA), research has shown that when people are more stressed, anxious, and socially isolated, spending time in parks, trails, and natural areas becomes even more important. There is plenty of research that supports the positive impact the environment has on physical and mental health. A recent study conducted by the NRPA showed that a brief nature experience, such as a 45 to 90-minute walk in a natural setting, decreases depression and mental illnesses, and other negative brain activities. Parks have also been linked to greater creativity and brain boosts. A brief 25-minute walk has positive benefits to your brain, such as lowering frustration, enhancing your mood, and increasing your creativity. A 2012 study by researcher David Strayer, showed that backpackers were 50 percent more creative after spending four days on the trail. Spending time outside in the fresh air is also one of the fastest ways to improve your health and happiness. In fact, studies show that it lowers stress, blood pressure and heart rate, and lowers the risk of developing psychiatric health. If these aren’t reason enough to inspire you to unplug and disconnect at this moment, here are 10 reasons why you should get OUTSIDE right now and head to the park!
Do you know the power of parks and trails in your community? Yes it’s true, parks provide beautiful greenspaces with various recreation activities. But there are other benefits that parks and trails provide. According to the National Recreation Parks Association (NRPA), these are the following top benefits of parks in the community:
At Nature Is Open, we believe in educating and empowering the community to enjoy, preserve, and protect these amazing community spaces. We offer the highest level of service and instruction to our community through workshops, classes, outdoor adventures and education that is suitable for most levels and abilities. To achieve this, we partner with the best educators and local municipalities to ensure that all people can be served and connected to the best trails and parks in the region. We offer classes and workshops all throughout the week, provide resources, and education tips and schedule volunteer opportunities in local neighborhoods to engage with and inspire the community to join us in our quest. We hope to see you at one of our upcoming workshops, classes, or at a local service project in the near future. Don't hesitate to give us a shout on Facebook or Instagram. Nature Is Open has joined the Recreate Responsibly coalition in an effort to educate the community on ways to keep parks & trails open, and users safe. In these unprecedented times, parks are more important now than ever. If you are planning a trip to a park or trail, and we hope that you are, here are a few tips to play safe this season!
There are many benefits associated with spending time outdoors. A new study suggests that two hours outdoors could be the new 10,000 steps.
At Nature Is Open, we believe in the power of nature. Our time isn't dedicated to just spending time in the wilderness, but connecting people, culture, and community to the nature that surrounds us. Every weekend, we offer outdoor excursions for all community members ages 3 and up. Check out one of our upcoming classes and events this month. Enjoy the health benefits, including better brain function, concentration, memory skills, and physical stamina, from one of our two-hour activities. We hope to see you out there! |
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