June is Parks and Recreation Month: Take the 75 Hours Challenge

June is Parks and Recreation Month, and there's no better place to celebrate than right here in Medicine Hat.

Across Canada, communities are recognizing the important role parks and recreation play in creating healthy, active, and connected communities. Throughout June, we encouraged you to get outside, try something new, spend time with family and friends, and discover everything their community has to offer.

To help inspire participation, the Alberta Recreation and Parks Association (ARPA) has launched the 75 Hours of Recreation & Parks Challenge, encouraging individuals to spend 75 hours throughout June participating in recreation and parks activities.

Whether you're exploring a new trail, visiting a neighbourhood playground, swimming at a local pool, or enjoying a picnic in the park, every hour counts.

Why Parks and Recreation Matter

Parks and recreation spaces are more than places to visit. They:

• Support physical and mental wellness
• Create opportunities for connection and belonging
• Provide accessible and affordable ways to be active
• Help people discover the beauty of their community

Medicine Hat is uniquely positioned to celebrate June is Parks and Recreation Month with:

• More than 190 kilometres of trails
• A connected river valley park system
• Destination parks including Strathcona Island Park, Police Point Park, Kin Coulee Park, and Echo Dale Regional Park
• A variety of indoor and outdoor recreation facilities and programs

Take the 75 Hours Challenge

The challenge is simple:

1. Spend time participating in recreation and parks activities throughout June.
2. Track your hours.
3. See how many of the 75 activities below you can complete along the way.

Not every activity takes an hour. The goal is simply to get moving, explore your community, and enjoy everything Medicine Hat has to offer.

75 Things to Do in Medicine Hat This June

Explore Our Trails and Natural Areas

1. Walk a section of the Heritage Trail Network.
2. Bike along the South Saskatchewan River.
3. Explore Police Point Park.
4. Visit Strathcona Island Park.
5. Walk the trails at Echo Dale Regional Park.
6. Take a sunset walk along the river.
7. Birdwatch in Police Point Park.
8. Try a trail you've never visited before.
9. Walk across one of Medicine Hat's pedestrian bridges.
10. Take a nature photo challenge.
11. Go for a morning walk before work.
12. Explore a trail with your dog.
13. Walk 5 kilometres in a single outing.
14. Bike to a local park instead of driving.
15. Watch wildlife in the river valley.

Visit Parks and Playgrounds

16. Have a picnic in a neighbourhood park.
17. Visit Kin Coulee Park.
18. Spend an afternoon at Echo Dale.
19. Explore a playground you've never visited - try the new Parks and Recreation Explorer tool to find the perfect spot!
20. Visit Central Park.
21. Read a book under a tree.
22. Play tag with your kids.
23. Fly a kite in an open green space.
24. Play catch with a friend.
25. Organize a family park outing.
26. Visit three parks in one day.
27. Enjoy lunch outdoors.
28. Watch a sunrise from the top of a coulee.
29. Relax on a park bench and enjoy nature.
30. Attend a community event in a park.

Get Active

31. Go for a run on a local trail.
32. Walk 10,000 steps in one day.
33. Try outdoor yoga.
34. Play frisbee at the park.
35. Shoot hoops at an outdoor basketball court.
36. Play tennis or pickleball.
37. Try disc golf.
38. Join a drop-in fitness activity.
39. Ride your bike for recreation.
40. Climb a playground structure with your kids.
41. Challenge yourself to a hill workout.
42. Stretch outdoors.
43. Play soccer in a park.
44. Complete a family fitness challenge.
45. Participate in a local recreation program.

Make a Splash

46. Swim at Big Marble Go Centre.
47. Visit Hill Pool.
48. Spend a day at Echo Dale's beach area.
49. Try lane swimming.
50. Attend a public swim time - they're free all summer at the outdoor pools.
51. Take the kids to a splash pad.
52. Practice your swimming skills.
53. Swim with a friend.
54. Go for a paddle in Echo Dale Boat Lake.
55. Sign up for a swimming lesson.

Explore Recreation Facilities

56. Visit Big Marble Go Centre.
57. Walk the indoor track.
58. Try a fitness class.
59. Attend a recreation program.
60. Explore a facility you've never visited before.
61. Test out your bike skills on the pump track by Gas City Campround
62. Participate in a drop-in activity.
63. Visit with friends while being active.
64. Bring a family member to a recreation facility.
65. Try out the portable skate ramps recently added to East Glenn Park.

Connect with Community

66. Invite a friend for a walk.
67. Take your grandparents to a park.
68. Meet a neighbour while exploring a trail.
69. Participate in a community event.
70. Volunteer at a community activity.
71. Spend an hour outdoors without your phone.
72. Have a family recreation night.
73. Teach someone a favourite outdoor activity.
74. Rent a Bird e-scooter with a friend and go for a ride.
75. Share your favourite Medicine Hat parks and rec experience on social media.

Ready to Get Started?

Every walk, ride, swim, game, and outdoor adventure helps build a healthier and more connected community.

Challenge yourself to reach 75 hours this June and discover new ways to explore, play, and thrive in Medicine Hat.

Track your progress, invite friends and family to join you, and make June your most active month yet.