On May 20, 2023, the City of Oakland Park, the City of Palm Bay and the Village of Wellington celebrated Kids to Parks Day.

The Oakland Park event took place at City Park. City residents participated in a family-friendly Scavenger Hunt, Fossil Rock Craft project and Sidewalk Chalk Gallery. For community members who hadn’t been to City Park, this event was a way to explore the new facility and solve clues to find an Oaky character.

In Palm Bay, kids participated in a free nature hike. Also, children enjoyed free open gym basketball. One park hosted a giant escape room-style experience where players solved puzzles, completed challenges and joined other teams racing against the clock. A community center held an open house for city instructors to demonstrate their programs. The aquatic center hosted a free Pool Bash with swimming, food trucks, games and a dance party. The celebration concluded with a free Move at the Pool event featuring an outdoor movie.

A grand opening celebration at the exhibit offered the chance to meet many of the artists featured in the “El Arte: Echoes of Cuba” exhibit, listen to salsa music performed by Orquesta INFINIDAD and sample food from downtown’s Hispania Restaurant during a festive, family-friendly event.

Wellington invited the community to a Kids to Parks Day event at Greenview Shores Park. Residents enjoyed music and dancing throughout the event in addition to character entertainment, a magic show, face painting, inflatable games, lawn games, laser tag, a rock wall and sports activities. Attendees also had the opportunity to get to know local first responders with Palm Beach County Fire Rescue and the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office and explore vehicles from their fleet.

Kids to Parks Day is a national day of outdoor play that connects kids and families with their local, state and national parks through thousands of events that promote discovery and exploration in the great outdoors. It’s organized by National Park Trust. The free ParkPassport mobile app offers an interactive learning experience on Kids to Parks Day.