


About Park and Recreation Month
Parks and recreation are vitally important to the quality of life in our city, not only for the health and wellbeing of people who live here, but also because of the preservation of our best, most beautiful assets including trails, open spaces, and parks. Colorado Springs is stronger, more vibrant, and more resilient because of parks and recreation services and we’re excited to show it during National Park and Recreation Month 2023. We’ve planned a variety of activities for residents of all ages and abilities to help celebrate during the month of July!
Support FREE Park Events in July!
Register your group for the FUN walk
Park and Recreation Month Contests
Challenge Card Contest – July 1-31st
Having fun with the Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Services department is easy! This July, participate in our Challenge Card Contest. Download the Challenge Card, select events to attend, places to visit, or activities to complete! Once you have completed 10 squares, return the Challenge Card in person or online to be entered into a drawing on Aug. 1st.
Four winners will be announced on #COSParks social media. Prizes include a family 4-pack to PRCS activities (ex. skating, golfing, or driving up the Pikes Peak Highway).
- Family Fourth at Rock Ledge Ranch
- Native Plan Walk in Garden of the Gods
- Sunrise Opening at Pikes Peak America's Mountain
- Add your individual or car pass to the cart as well as the $2 reservation item to select 7/21 and your desired entry time.
NEW! Kids Coloring Contest – July 1-31st
Enjoy our updated Kids Activity Book for Park and Recreation Month. The last page of this book is the official coloring sheet for the NEW! Kids Coloring Contest. Complete the contest coloring page and return it, in person or online, to be entered into the contest.
Four winners will be announced on #COSParks social media on Aug 1st. Prizes include a grab bag of candy and kid’s items.
Discover COS Calendar Photo Contest Opens – July 17th
The Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Services Department will begin accepting photo submissions for its Discover COS calendar starting Monday, July 17. The 2024 calendar, produced this fall, will be the eleventh edition highlighting the natural beauty of parks, trails, and open spaces in Colorado Springs. All submissions must be received by 2 PM on Sept. 7, 2023.
We hope you get connected with our department in some way this month. Each of these virtual and live opportunities have been coordinated to expand our engagement with residents, increase learning outcomes and encourage outdoor fun!
Let's get social
Follow our pages and share your best COS park and recreation memory, story or photo on social media. #COSParkandRecMonth
Stay in the know
Stay in the know on Parks and Recreation happenings by joining our monthly e-Newsletter. Topics also include trails, open spaces, and special events.
Facts about Parks and Recreation
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National Park and Recreation Month is a time to promote the benefits of healthy, vibrant communities. It is a time to recognize the importance of parks and recreation in establishing and maintaining quality of life and in contributing to the physical, economic, and environmental well-being of communities.
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Park and Recreation Professionals Day, #ParkandRecDay, is back for its fifth year on July 21, 2023, and is celebrated during National Park and Recreation Month. It's a national celebration honoring essential industry professionals across the country, who make our communities better places to live, work and play.
- Evidence not only shows that parks are cooler than their surrounding cities, but that parks contribute to overall urban cooling — parks make our cities more comfortable in the summer!
- National Park and Recreation Month is an initiative of the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA), to learn more about National Park and Recreation Month, visit nrpa.org/July.