Wake up your routine – visiting a park can fight fatigue!

Posted on August 23, 2017

Do you struggle to stay awake at your desk post lunch? Or get home from work and immediately collapse on the couch? Visiting a park at lunchtime could be the key to beating the afternoon blah’s, recent studies suggest. A brisk walk while focusing on nature instead of work kept study participants more productive in...

‘Kettering Is Home’ Painted Rock Guidelines

Posted on August 22, 2017

We’re thrilled that so many people are eager to hide and find colorful painted rocks in our parks! Kelly from the Habitat Environmental Center put together a quick list of guidelines to make the ‘Kettering Is Home’ rocks craze safe and fun for everyone. Acrylic paint and a polyurethane sealer works perfectly to create your...

Recap: Art on the Commons

Posted on August 18, 2017

Beautiful sunny skies and mild temps made Rosewood Arts Centre’s 29th annual Art on the Commons an ideal day for enjoying Lincoln Park Civic Commons, artwork, music, food and youth activities. Over 10,000 people came out to see us, and several hundred kids created origami boats, finger puppets and beaded jewelry, as well as enjoyed...

Bee the Change

Posted on August 18, 2017

What’s happening to all the bees? Due to a variety of factors, bees have been on the decline for several years. You’ve probably heard a lot about this already! Curious about what the deal is and wondering how to help? Scroll down to learn more. The buzz on bees Yes, bees make honey, but they...

Wild about birthdays!

Posted on August 16, 2017

Did you know that the months with the highest birthrates each year are usually August and September? Chances are good you know someone with a birthday coming up! Need a party plan? The Habitat Environmental Center has revamped their Wild Birthday themes with a fresh batch of party experiences. Here’s what’s new: Fantastic Beasts: Discover...

Lower your stress level by creating art

Posted on August 7, 2017

Remember drawing and fingerpainting as a kid? Now, when was the last time you made art as an adult? Most people stop creating spontaneous artwork for fun as they get older – they lose interest or decide there’s a ‘right’ and ‘wrong’ way to create. You might want to pick the paintbrush back up –...

Web Wednesday: You Talked Tech. We Listened!

Posted on August 2, 2017

You Talked Tech. We Listened! Kettering Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts is serious about providing positive customer experiences. And in the twenty-first century, more and more of those experiences are starting online. When a lot of you told us that online registration was too difficult or that information on the website wasn’t accessible, we took...

Five Ways to Enjoy Art on the Commons

Posted on July 31, 2017

Rosewood Arts Centre’s premier annual event, Art on the Commons, is almost here! This fine arts and crafts festival has been going strong for 29 years – next year, we celebrate the big 3-0. The festival features over 100 artists in a variety of media. All the artwork is juried to make sure the quality...

National Parks and Recreation Month Friday Feature: Sports for the Win

Posted on July 28, 2017

Whether you’re running down the field, cheering from the stands or even sitting on the bench, the benefits of sports can’t be denied. Aside from the obvious physical exercise and cardiovascular workout that sports provide, the mental and emotional benefits are plentiful. Sense of Community: One of the first things athletes learn is how to...

Get out and explore!

Posted on July 26, 2017

After a long day of sitting at school, it’s vital that kids get outside and get moving. Don’t settle for screens as the afternoon activity of choice – there’s a lot of evidence that this does more harm than good. According to a recent study, The Nature of Americans, computers and TV are the things...

National Parks & Recreation Month Friday Feature: Art All Around

Posted on July 21, 2017

It’s National Parks and Recreation Month, but in Kettering, we’re not just Parks and Recreation. That’s right, we’re the Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts! Although originally founded as the City of Kettering Department of Parks and Recreation, the name was later updated to reflect the city’s unique arts offerings. This week, we’re taking...

National Parks & Recreation Month Friday Feature: Parks Proud

Posted on July 14, 2017

We take great pride in Kettering’s 21 beautiful parks. Full of fishing ponds, walking trails, playgrounds, dedicated sports areas and much more, parks are one of the core elements that go into creating a community of choice. What is it that makes parks so important? Environment: Parks offer proven benefits to cities’ groundwater quality, air...

Play is the Way, Part II

Posted on July 11, 2017

Last month, we brought you the many reasons why outdoor play is essential for kids. But does the need to engage in free play outside magically stop at age 18? Absolutely not! A number of recent studies point to the value of outdoor play for adults, but those same studies suggest that neighborhood parks are...

National Parks & Recreation Month Friday Feature: Why Camp?

Posted on July 7, 2017

Every summer, hundreds of local youth enjoy Kettering’s many traditional day camps, specialty camps, art camps, nature camps and sports camps. Summer camp is always a fun and exciting time – but it’s actually much more, too. So, what are some of the benefits of sending kids to summer camp? Social development: From getting along...

6 Ways to Stay Safe at Adventure Reef Water Park this Summer

Posted on June 30, 2017

We hope you’ll make time for at least one visit to Adventure Reef this summer. Whether you haven’t yet been or are eagerly planning a return trip, it’s always a good idea to brush up on water park safety. Here’s a quick guide. Wear sunscreen This piece of advice was made famous exactly 20 years...

Get Moving Wednesdays!

Posted on June 21, 2017

Childhood obesity has been on the rise for decades. A third of kids are now overweight or obese, according to the American Heart Association. Health conditions like heart disease, high blood pressure and Type 2 diabetes are becoming more common in children as a result. Although poor nutrition plays a big role in the epidemic...

Your Kettering Summer Bucket List

Posted on June 19, 2017

Summer’s here and the time is right for Kettering fun. Take some time to explore our city’s most popular events, plus its hidden gems. Cross these items off your list for an unforgettable summer, Play Kettering style! Conquer a water slide. We make no secret of the fact that Adventure Reef Water Park has the...

Play Is The Way

Posted on June 14, 2017

Why play outdoors? It’s not a newsflash that kids LOVE to play, especially outdoors. What’s interesting is that free play isn’t all fun and games. Not engaging in enough free play with peers can have serious emotional and social repercussions for kids. Overall, kids who spend lots of time outside at play tend to grow...

Great American Campout

Posted on June 9, 2017

The Great American Backyard Campout is almost here! Camping is a fun way to experience nature and the outdoors, but it has even more to offer. Families especially can benefit from time spent camping together – even just if it’s just for one night. Read on to find out what a big impact camping can...

Tips for Water Safety This Summer

Posted on May 25, 2017

Happy National Water Safety Month! Are you headed out to a pool, lake or ocean this summer? Swimming, boating and fishing are some of summer’s most exciting activities. They can also be the most dangerous. Read on for tips to help yourself and your family stay safe in and around the water. Regardless of where...

Learning How to Swim: It Matters

Posted on May 19, 2017

If you already know how to swim you might take for granted the value of this skill. But for many people the idea of learning how to swim can be frightening and seemingly impossible. The importance of being able to swim can vary from lifesaving to recreational. Here are six reasons why everyone – no...

Recap: Art on the Playground 2017

Posted on May 18, 2017

Rosewood Arts Centre’s fifth annual Art on the Playground was “definitely the best to date,” said Cultural Arts Program Supervisor, Andrew Dailey. Drawing a crowd of 450 art enthusiasts of all ages, the event featured 14 activity stations with projects like mask-making, pottery, fiber arts and origami. The first-ever Art on the Playground won second...

Recap: 2017 City of Kettering Community Survey Results

Posted on May 8, 2017

Eight-eight percent of the Kettering residents who answered the 2017 City of Kettering Community Survey said the Kettering Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts Department’s biggest impact on the community is making it a desirable place to live. The survey, finished in spring 2017, was completed by 607 Kettering residents. “These types of surveys are critical to...

Recap: Disc Golf Course Improvements Underway

Posted on April 28, 2017

If you enjoy disc golf, you’ve no doubt noticed recent changes to the course in Indian Riffle (I.R.) Park and the grounds surrounding the Kettering Recreation Complex. Holes 6-9 are in the process of being redesigned and laid out due to the Prugh Woods Development. New baskets, as well as new tee pads and signs,...

Recap: TreeFest 2017

Posted on April 18, 2017

A big thank you to everyone who helped make TreeFest 2017 a huge success! Over 50 volunteers of all ages helped to plant 40 trees and 60 pollinator plants in Southdale Park and the grounds around the Habitat Environmental Center. Mayor Patterson also presented a proclamation naming April 15 Arbor Day in Kettering and dedicated...