This summer has this really special theme to it already. The theme is simplicity. We’re getting back to basics, and we’re starting in our town. We are really fortunate to have access to some really amazing recreational family activities in Columbia, South Carolina.
One of our favorite things to do is to just get out in an open space and let Hudson, Hayes, and the dogs run around. We have the absolute best place to do this so close to our home. We love going to Finlay Park in downtown Columbia. It’s right in the middle of the city and has some really great views of our city’s skyline. To me, there’s something so great about being in the middle of your city and being able to really enjoy the outdoors and run free.
I was recently introduced to the wonderful America Is Your Park campaign. Coca-Cola is calling everyone out to vote in the third annual America Is Your Park campaign. Our parks provide a place for friends, neighbors, and families to be outside, be active, and enjoy being together. There were 13 million votes for favorite parks to win money for improvements in the America Is Your Park campaign. This year is no different. United States park-goers have the opportunity to vote for their favorite park to win $100,000 from the Coca-Cola Live Positively initiative and the prestigious title of “America’s Favorite Park.” You can vote for your favorite park by visiting LivePositively.com/parks and clicking on your park’s name.
While you’re on the site, you can learn how to earn more points for your park by “checking in” from the park and find more voting tools to help rally your community. You can vote for your favorite local, state, or national park until July 15, 2012. You can do all of this on the website and you can find more ways to encourage friends to vote, too! How amazing would it be do create a movement in your community to get people to the park and then help your park win $100,000? It’s really so simple and such a wonderful opportunity to be outside and be active! When Todd and I were dating, we used to bring Boudreaux to Finlay Park almost every Saturday. We’d let him run and run and run chasing the tennis ball. He loved running up to new people and he always wanted to try to jump into the little pond.
Then when Hudson was born and later Hayes was born, we have loved taking them to Finlay Park, as well. There are always children running around, families having a picnic, and you can always count on seeing an ultimate frisbee or flag football game while there. Finlay Park is also the host of Columbia’s Summer Concert Series. Every Saturday from May until August, local bands play at Finlay Park for a free concert. Families and friends are invited to come out with their picnics, lawn chairs, blankets, and dancing shoes, of course! Food and drink vendors are there and it’s really such a great time to have fun in the summer time and be outside. And for free! On June 23 our wedding band, The Root Doctors, are playing, so we’re planning to be there. I hope that you’ll all visit LivePositively.com/parks and vote for your favorite park, then get all of your friends and neighbors to do the same.
NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Only legal residents of the 50 U.S. (and D.C.) who are at least 13 years old and reside within the U.S. at the time of participation are eligible to vote for a Park. Participate on behalf of a Park by: July 15, 2012. The 3 most popular Parks will be offered a grant and there will be 1 Wild Card drawing at the end of the Contest to award an additional grant. To participate, for Official Rules, and complete details including grant descriptions, visit www.LivePositively.com/parks. Void where prohibited.
can’t sleep. nice to see you’re up and at ’em. this is a great reminder to visit the parks in my city. i like to ice skate and our city has a great network of public, outdoor, park district rinks. it love trying out all the different rinks. for some reason i become more of a home body in the summer??! i think i’m going to lace up my sneakers and go for a walk in a new park this week or take a blanket and work on memorizing my lines for ‘hamlet’ out in the sunshine. thank you! now to get a jump on housework before everyone else wakes up…
I love this idea! I live literally right next to a park and have a very eager-to-walk-and-play dog, and there is even a dog park, and I never go! This is great inspiration. I need to get over there, and then vote for it!
This is incredible. I grew up near kennesaw, GA and spent many, many afternoons at Cantrell Park with the Boys and Girls Club and with friends and family…and it’s one on the list 🙂 I also love centennial park in Atlanta and it’s not too far down. I love living in the south!
Hi, you don’t follow me on twitter but saw your request for photographers. Check out Lindsey friar photography. I love her photography style. She does beautiful beach pictures. Enjoy your visit! That’s where I grew up.