Parks and Recreation Month marks a ‘lifetime of discovery’

With a new beach ready to officially open, a big concert coming and another successful run of the Children’s Museum underway, Yuma is set to celebrate National Parks and Recreation Month.

This year’s theme, “a lifetime of discovery,” invites Yumans to explore the undiscovered roles of local parks and recreation. The city has planned a variety of fun activities for residents of all ages and abilities — including:

• The grand opening of the new beach, Playa Linda, 9 a.m. July 11, on the west side of West Wetlands Park.

• The Children’s Museum of Yuma County, running through July 28 at the Yuma Art Center.

• Craig Wayne Boyd Live in Concert July 28 at the Yuma Civic Center.

• Life-size Candyland and indoor summer programming at the newly air-conditioned Joe Henry Gym.

• Paul Riley Late Night Softball Tournament, July 20-21, at the Pacific Avenue Athletic Complex.

• Late Night Spike Night Sand Volleyball Tournament, 8 p.m. July 14, Kennedy Sand Volleyball Courts.

• Get Golf Ready, fivelesson series starting July 8 at Desert Hills Golf Course.

• Infinite Imagination Youth Theater presentation of Xanadu Jr., July 20-21 at the Historic Yuma Theatre.

• Plus kayaking trips and much more.

Park and Recreation Month is an initiative of the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA). Playgrounds, rec centers, sports leagues, and summer camps are just a few of the activities that parks and recreation brings to mind.

“Parks and Recreation in Yuma means so much more,” Parks and Recreation Director Debbie Wendt said. “We invite you to discover all the ways parks and recreation can improve quality of life, like the ongoing development and improvements happening at West Wetlands Park, which include the three new features at Stewart Wolfe Playground. Or the new trails and the new beach there. Plus we have ... opportunities for learning and discovery at the Children’s Museum of Yuma County, and more.”

NRPA encourages people that support parks and recreation to share why they think it’s important to explore and discover all Yuma has to offer with the hashtag #DiscoverJuly.

To learn more about Park and Recreation Month or to download a full calendar of events for July, visit www.Yumaaz.gov/parksandrec and www.nrpa.org/July.