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Darke County Parks
The Importance of Parks
What is the first thing that comes to your mind when someone mentions
the Darke County Parks? The Darke County Park District is more than the
Nature Center at Shawnee Prairie Preserve and the Bish Discovery Center
on Ohio street. It also includes 13 additional preserves and the paved
Tecumseh Multi-Use Trail, which when combined, encompass 25 miles of
trails across the county which are available to the public for
recreational use. Hike the loop at Worth Family Nature Preserve to
enjoy a mixture of hardwood forest, pine grove, upland meadow and
thicket. If you want to watch butterflies flutter about, walk the trail
at Turkeyfoot preserve, where you’re sure to get a show. Or, go bird
watching along the creek at Alice Bish Park. We encourage you to visit
each park each season and decide which one is your favorite.
Being outside and enjoying your parks is beneficial to your health and
wellbeing. According to the National Recreation and Park Association
(NRPA), 83% of adults find exercising at local parks, trails, and open
spaces is essential to maintaining their mental and physical health
during this COVID-19 pandemic. Outside of the pandemic, 3 in 5
Americans say they would take up walking or jogging through local
parks, trails, or around the neighborhood if they were advised to be
more physically active by a doctor or other healthcare provider. Darke
County has one of the highest obesity rates in the State, however,
Darke County Parks offer a variety of avenues to the public to
participate in outdoor activities and programs. Bike rentals are
available at the Bish Discovery Center if you don’t own a bike but want
to enjoy the Tecumseh Trail. Additionally, you can always walk, jog, or
rollerblade the trail.
The benefits of trails extend beyond just fitness and leisure, they
also benefit the local economy. A 2012 study by the National
Association of Homebuilders titled “What Home Buyers Really Want” found
that the presence of walking and jogging trails seriously influences
the purchase decision of 60 percent of all homebuyers when looking to
move into a new community. Trails can also encourage tourism
development by creating a desirable destination for recreation and
attract business development to support local communities.
Along with the above-mentioned benefits that Darke County Parks
provides, are a multitude of public programs. Most of these programs
are free or require a very small fee. Park naturalists also visit every
school in the county throughout the year to compliment the curriculum
with topics such as the water cycle, geology, wildlife history, and
more.
There are so many benefits of your Darke County Parks. If you don’t
currently take advantage of your Darke County Parks, then it’s time you
do! For more information on trails and facilities, reach out to the
Darke County Park District at 937-548-0165 or visit the website at
www.darkecoutyparks.org.
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