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Date: April 29, 2009
Contact: Gail Sears, 501-620-6701

On Saturday, May 9 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., public lands agency representatives from the Garland County area will be at Hot Springs National Park in the Lamar Bathhouse with displays, maps and information about family outdoor recreation. Smokey Bear will be on hand and agency personnel will also present programs hourly 10:30-2:30.

“We hope that local citizens and out-of-town visitors will take this opportunity to stop at the Lamar Bathhouse and find out about the wonderful outdoor activities that await them in the city, county, state and federal lands of central Arkansas” said Josie Fernandez, superintendent of Hot Springs National Park. This is an opportunity for “one stop shopping” to get information from all these agencies and outdoor opportunities in one place.

Richard Louv, author of “Last Child in the Woods--Saving our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder” contends that engaging in outdoor activities can increase a child’s self confidence, among other advantages.  Children who explore the outdoors not only get the advantage of physical exercise, but also increase their creativity and get a better spatial sense of their surroundings.

This one-day event is part of the Children and Nature Plan for Action that is a joint effort between the National Park Service and the National Association of State Park Directors. The goal of this program is to increase awareness and support for nature and outdoor activities for children and families.