For the City Times

Hundreds of thousands of children nationwide, including those in Wisconsin Rapids will take part in a grassroots movement to discover America’s parks.

Saturday, Jun. 18, will commemorate National Park Trust’s (NPT) sixth annual Kids to Parks Day, celebrated nationally May 21, 2016.

Mayor Zachary Vruwink recently proclaimed Kids to Parks day in Wisconsin Rapids and encourages locals to participate by exploring our expansive acres of city parks and miles of trails. Like Wisconsin Rapids, other cities across the nation are committing to a simple motto: “active kids are healthy kids” and encouraging their residents to use Kids to Parks Day as the first of many days spent outdoors, at local parks and recreation sites, to develop more active, healthy lifestyles.

Vruwink joins mayors across the country, who have signed official proclamations declaring Kids to Parks Day in their city or town. This growing list of mayors has committed to urge their citizens to make time to take the children and grandchildren in their lives to a neighborhood, state or national park.

“Wisconsin Rapids is committed to healthy living and our wonderful parks and recreation areas like our Zoo, Witter, Robinson and Sandlot Parks provide excellent spaces for outdoor play,” said Vruwink. “I invite all Wisconsin Rapids residents to join me outdoors on June 18, for Kids to Parks Day,”

A special commemorative Kids to Parks Day is being planned by the Mayor’s Youth Council for 1:30-3:30pm at Robinson Park, and all are invited to start their day of play there and adventure out to all Wisconsin Rapids’ other outdoor spaces throughout the day. Activities and Refreshments will be available.

Visit facebook.com/wirapids for more information on the event.