Yuma News Now

Yuma, Arizona - The City of Yuma Parks and Recreation Department will celebrate National Park and Recreation Month in July - the traditional month for this designation since 1985.  The City invites residents to take advantage of a number of opportunities to get involved and get to know Yuma's parks and recreation programs and facilities.

The City kicks off the monthlong celebration with a free ice cream social 3 to 5 p.m. Wednesday, July 1 in the lobby of City Hall, One City Plaza (located between 1st and Madison Avenues at Giss Parkway). At that event, you can pick up a July calendar outlining a full slate of fun things to do. A video crew will record any story you wish to share about what your parks system means to you. These recordings will be used to create future media spots for television, the Internet and public meetings.

Parks and Recreation offers more than ice cream to cool off this summer. There are other ways to get some relief from the heat.  Join us at the grand opening of the new Valley Aquatic Center on July 2: The ribbon will be cut at 12:45 p.m., then the pools will be open from 1 to 7 p.m. for open swim.

Watch a movie while afloat in the new competition pool at the Valley Aquatic Center starting at 8:30 p.m. on both July 17 and 31.

We'll also let you know about some ways to get involved with a new online survey for July and an opportunity to name Yuma's first dog park, which is set to open October 3.  We want your input and July is the month to make it happen.

Can't attend the ice cream social? Drop by City Hall during operating hours anytime in July and check out five themed banners featuring creations from the imaginations of the art club students at Cibola High School and San Luis High School. The students created art that celebrates some of the values associated with Yuma Parks and Recreation: Celebrate Creativity; Feel at Home; Connect with Nature; Unique Learning Opportunities; and Get Healthy, Get Active.

Speaking of healthy and active, spending the day at the park and being active can reduce stress, improve cardiovascular health, help ward off obesity and decrease feelings of depression. Not to mention it's easy on the wallet, too.

Here are some other great park health facts from the National Recreation and Parks Association:

• Active users of public parks have a lower body mass index.
• People who visit parks for longer periods of time (one hour or more) have significantly lower systolic blood pressures.
• Parks users who are more physically active and who make frequent contact with friends during their leisure time are less likely to report feeling depressed.
• Playing at parks helps children build and maintain healthy bones, muscles, and joints, improves self-esteem, and avoid at-risk behavior such as drug use and gang involvement.

"Everyone can and should visit their nearest park this month," said Barbara Tulipane, National Recreation and Parks Association CEO.  "Spending the day at the park is a great way to bond with your family, connect with loved ones and improve your mental and physical health."

Yuma Parks and Recreation invites you to try one of the many programs offered this summer. Stop by City Hall or visit the Parks and Recreation web pages at www.YumaAz.gov to see all of the great things happening this summer.

For additional information, contact Roberta Ukura, Assistant Director of Parks and Recreation, at (928) 373-5208 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .