Go on a Park Adventure for Earth Day
We celebrate Earth Day every April to honor our planet and everything it does for us. This year, the theme of the day is “Restore Our Earth.” For children to appreciate what we’re working to restore, it helps to see what nature has to offer. By visiting Osceola County parks and virtually touring national parks, you and your child can gain a new perspective on the wonders of nature. Here are some great options for a family-friendly Earth Day park adventure:
Kissimmee Lakefront Park
Of all the places to observe nature in Central Florida, Kissimmee Lakefront Park is one of the most accessible. Parking, seating and bathrooms are all readily available. A paved path takes you around the park and beyond. Featuring a beautiful lake view, this park is teeming with wildlife, from birds and turtles to fish and alligators. For children who need extra entertainment, the park also offers a splash pad and a playground, as well as art and cultural artifacts. When you’re done exploring, you can find plenty of food options within a comfortable walking distance of the park.
The Disney Wilderness Preserve
Disney partnered with the State of Florida, the Nature Conservancy, and a number of other organizations to build and expand the 11,500-acre Disney Wilderness Preserve. Now home to more than 1,000 species of plants and animals, this preserve is a national model for sustainable development, so it’s the perfect place to bring your nature-loving child. You can hike a 3-mile nature trail or take an off-road buggy tour to learn about all the wildlife species. This park is considered part of the Everglades ecosystem due to its 3,500 acres of restored wetlands.
Shingle Creek Regional Park
If you’re looking for a quiet opportunity to connect with nature, consider checking out Shingle Creek. This park is perfect for walking, bike riding, or experiencing nature in a boat. The creek has 2 miles of water that you can navigate in a rented canoe, kayak or paddleboard. You can explore the wilderness on paved paths and land bridges. If you’re more into guided experiences, the park offers tours and boating lessons. Shingle Creek is the perfect place to bird watch, fish or take a hike. Parking, restrooms, signage and vending machines are available to make exploring nature a comfortable experience for you and your family.
Five National Parks to Virtually Visit
Through a partnership with Google Arts and Culture, you and your child can take immersive virtual tours of five national parks. The Kenai Fjords National Park in Alaska allows you to explore icefields, glaciers, coastal fjords and icy islands. Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park is the site of active volcanoes and a volcanology museum. The Carlsbad Caverns National Park tour lets you experience underground caverns and desert wetlands. On the Bryce Canyon National Park tour, you and your child can observe spire-shaped hoodoo rock formations. The Dry Tortugas National Park tour showcases sea life, from turtles and seabirds to protected coral reefs. Each of these parks provides a unique experience that will leave your child in awe of nature’s beauty and diversity.
We believe experiencing nature is an important part of understanding the world we live in. At our Osceola County private schools, our main goal is to instill leadership and compassion in our students through rigorous academics and a foundation of faith. We foster an atmosphere of care and an environment of high expectations and effective discipline. To learn more about what makes us different, contact us here.