Shoreline Amphitheatre
How to Enjoy Nature
The human spirit longs to get outdoors and enjoy the last vestiges of the glorious colors of nature's palette. Rightly so. We are blessed with having had and continuing to have excellent park planning in many areas and we are privileged to have a selection of places to visit in most towns and cities. If you are already in the countryside you are already winning the search for expansive natural venues.
From the postage stamp sized parks to massive tracts of forest there is a park to visit and delight in. Getting out alone, with family, with pets, or with a group, is possible and inviting.
It is encouraged that you look for trail associations in your area which offers hikes on the local trails and you can join a local Hiker’s Club so that you can be made aware of the hikes coming up.
If you love to gaze over expanses of water in the park you select, and you do have a lake close by, you are in luck. Having a lovely lake where you can go and have a picnic, wander the shoreline, cross country ski, do photography, sketch and paint and enjoy the changing views and colors is such a boon to a happy psyche.
Look for winding trails over the hills and valleys of a forest. Some of the terrain may be fairly steep. A forest canopy may be home to great autumn leaf sightings: sugar maple, ironwood, beech, red oak, black cherry and aspen, some of them set against red and white pine. Forests have great appeal and offer attractive areas for strolling along the paths through the parks. The outline of barren trees against the sharp blue of a winter sky can get your endorphins and heart racing.
A family venue with good parking, a picnic shelter with a barbeque, and an amphitheatre with a fire pit, perhaps boardwalks, natural stream channels, ponds, and trails to walk along is a glorious way to be in touch with your inner self. Sightings of birds and wild creatures such as beaver add to the ambiance.
It is always a great time of the year to join your local Naturalists and find out more about their field trips, botany and bird groups and their work for the preservation of the natural environment. Supporting your Naturalists and your Hiking Associations will help them to give you a wonderful place to be now and in the future.
Kudos go out to the efficient, hardworking, forward-looking staff of all the Parks and Recreation Departments in the towns, in the cities and in the countryside for the care with which our parks are maintained, enhanced and are such a joy and pride for all of us.
About the Author
Valerie Kent B.F.A., B.Ed.,M.F.A. is a long time artist who loves to wander the forests and lake areas in her neighborhood and sketch, paint or take photographs of nature's wonders. She leads workshops in many media at art schools, art societies, and in Italy and France. www.valeriekent.com artistvalerie@yahoo.ca
US $649.99
