Get outside and enjoy your community this spring!
Saturday, March 21st, 2015
Spring has sprung! This season, welcomed by most Minnesotans, officially arrived on Friday, March 20, at 5:45 p.m. We have been fortunate this year to have already experienced some warmer temperatures, and more great weather is sure to be on the way. That means it’s time to get outside and enjoy all that our community has to offer!
A great way to have fun while improving your health this spring is to participate in outdoor activities. We are fortunate that our community is near a variety of city parks and trails, both paved and natural, which allow for walking, jogging, or bicycling on a beautiful spring day.
Here’s a list of some of the possible health benefits of these activities:
- Enhance mental well-being and decrease stress levels
- Improve cardiovascular fitness
- Increase muscle strength and flexibility
- Reduce the risk of coronary heart disease, osteoporosis, cancer, type 2 diabetes, and more
- Improve blood pressure and blood sugar levels
- Strengthen bones
- Improved joint mobility
- Improved posture and coordination
Local recreation spots
Here are a few places to get outside and enjoy your community this spring:
Elm Creek Park Reserve
http://www.threeriversparks.org/parks/elm-creek-park.aspx
At 4,900 acres, Elm Creek Park Reserve is the largest of Three Rivers’s parks. Along with the other great recreational opportunities at the park, 20 miles of hard-surfaced trails for bikers, hikers, and runners, wind through the habitat of many species of wildlife. You’ll be amazed at what you might see along the way!
The “Trails at Your Paced” routes feature short, gentle trails designed to make it easier for people of all ages and abilities to begin a walking program. These trials are especially great for people with arthritis or other health conditions, those just starting a fitness program, parents with small children, or employees who want to take a quick lunchtime stroll.
Mountain bikers who know the excitement of speeding down a hill, the challenge of a steep climb and the thrill of weaving through scenic trails will love the designated mountain bike trails and paved bike/hike trails of varying terrain and difficulty for those of any skill level.
Maple Grove Trails
There are tons of parks and trails located throughout the City of Maple Grove, which boast over 36 miles of nature-filled trails passing through the woods and around the lakes in the area. There are also pavilions with grills and picnic tables to enjoy lunch along the way.
You can also enjoy other activities, like tennis and basketball, at various city parks. And for those rainy days, don’t forget about the fitness center located right at your community.
Don’t feel like leaving the house? No problem! Research says housework burns about 300 calories an hour, so break out the vacuum and dust pan and get your activity in right at home!
We hope you have a wonderful spring enjoying all your apartment community and the local community have to offer!