National Play Outside Day

BY MARY MAGER

National Play Outside Day is the rst Saturday each month. e next one is Saturday, August 5th. What is National Play Outside Day? On the rst Saturday, everybody in the nation plays outside, packing away cellphones and electronic devices. Put social media on pause and go outside and play, leaving monotony, work, and stress behind you.

Mother Nature is waiting for you and is eager to open her treasure chest of beauty, adventure, and exploration. is is the perfect opportunity to branch out to nearby trails, attractions, and recreational fun. ere is no limit to the resources near you. Get ready to stimulate your imagination!

Movingfromasedentarytoanactivelifestyleprovidesmanyhealth bene ts. As we move from the modern world of overstimulation, noise, pollution, and indoor air (which has been proven to retain a higher concentration of viruses as compared with outdoor air), our mental clarity resets and our immune function boosts tremendously. Camping in an open space, away from urban distractions, is a great way to enjoy the sights and sounds of nature. And…let’s not forget about sunlight, which helps your body produce Vitamin D and positively a ects your circadian rhythm, acting as a protective agent in reducing depression symptoms. With increased outdoor exercise, fresh oxygen pumps to our brains and limbs.

To clear the brain fog, I like to check out Fairport’s Lollypop Farm Trail, a less than mile loop trail with pretty wild owers, nearby Lollypop Farm, part of the Humane Society of Greater Rochester, where they provide compassionate care for all animals. Check out their exciting programs for animal lovers of all ages, such as Pet First Aid and CPR, a very helpful lesson in providing rst aid measures to pets until you can get to the vet. Or check out the Egypt Park Playground, frequently visited by parents with young children. Down the road in Macedon you can also access the RS&E Trolley Trail for a more energetic experience. e total length is 8.8 miles. Many bird watchers and hikers love this place, and it is very popular with cross country skiers. Additional resources include Victor Hiking Trails, Inc. and Crescent Trail Hiking.

When the temperature soars, head to Durand Eastman Beach on Lake Ontario for a dip. Located on Lakeshore Boulevard, there are also picnic areas and trails. If you’re ready to be immersed in woodlands, wetlands, and stream crossings, the scenic Erie Canal Trail is a must. Whether on bike or on foot, this picturesque pathway will not disappoint! Eateries along the canal o er tasty options and a chance to unwind.

Perhapsdiscoveranew-to-youpark.OneofMonroeCountyParks’ best kept secrets, Oatka Creek park in Wheatland is touted as one of the more “strollable” in the Monroe County Park system on its beautiful 3.3 mile loop trail, perfect for observing wild owers and birds and insects that surround you. Stop in to the park for a quiet nature retreat.

Check out Brockport’s incredible Alpine Adventure Zone Natural Playground on the eastern side of Northampton Park. Or perhaps bike, walk, or run through the “Lightning Tree” aka “ e Tree of Life” at Genesee Valley Park in Rochester. From the Genesee Valley Park, you can also launch a kayak to explore the Erie Canal or Genesee River. Check out the 14-acre Centennial Park in Batavia, with its weekly summer concerts and famous sledding spots in winter.

We are truly blessed with natural refuges in the Rochester area. Whatever you decide to do this Play Outside Day, make outdoor time a priority, a good habit to nurture. Some people prefer the solitude of outdoor time to re ect on life and restore balance. Others look at outdoor time as a more social experience to encourage positive interactions. Whichever your preference, experience nature at its nest. Most important is to establish healthy habits to improve the quality of life.

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Fast Facts About The Sun

The higher up in altitude a person goes, the stronger the sun’s rays become. Therefore, sun exposure in the mountains can be more dangerous than exposure at sea level.

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DID YOU KNOW?

Many people are familiar with the term “ozone layer.” But some may not know that the Earth’s atmosphere consists of several layers. The lowest layer of the Earth’s atmosphere is the troposphere, which the U.S Environmental Protection Agency notes extends from the Earth’s surface to roughly six miles in altitude. The troposphere is where nearly all human activities occur. Even climbers who make it to the peak of Mt. Everest are still in the troposphere, as Everest is less than six miles high. But anyone who has ever boarded a commercial flight has likely left the troposphere and entered the stratosphere, where the majority of commercial airplanes fly. The stratosphere begins at six miles above the Earth’s surface and extends to about 31 miles above the surface of the planet. The EPA notes that most atmospheric ozone is concentrated in a layer in the stratosphere that’s roughly nine to 18 miles above the Earth’s surface. The ozone layer in the Earth’sstratosphereabsorbssome of the sun’s radiation, including the UV and UVB radiation that has been linked to cancer. The third layer of the Earth’s atmosphere is the mesosphere, which extends from 31 miles above the Earth’s surface to roughly 53 miles above the surface of the planet. The height of the next highest layer, the thermosphere, varies due to changes in solar activity. The exosphere, which contains many of the satellites that orbit the Earth, is the outermost layer of the Earth’s atmosphere.

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