Lake Forest Open Lands Encourages Children to Play Outside

For Immediate Release
March 15, 2011

Media Contact:
Jill London, Assistant Director of Development
(847) 234-3880 x18
jlondon@lfola.org

Lake Forest Open Lands celebrates the importance of children spending time in nature at an upcoming family event on Earth Day. The event, known as “The Play Out”, will be held on Friday, April 22nd from 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. at Mellody Farm Nature Preserve, located at the corner of Deerpath and Waukegan Roads. Through the generosity of its sponsor, The Care of Trees, this event is free for the whole family. The nature-based activities at “The Play Out” include a natural obstacle course, shelter building, pond netting and tree climbing and much more. During the festivities, families can enjoy healthy snacks provided by Whole Foods Market- Deerfield and a nature based book sale provided by Lake Forest Bookstore.

“The Play Out” encourages kids to take the lead to explore their natural surroundings. And parents do not need to be outdoor experts. Simply having the enthusiasm to help your children enjoy nature is all you need. Also, it showcases one of several Lake Forest Open Lands nature preserves, which are open to the public for year-round enjoyment. Traveling far is not always necessary to find a beautiful, natural setting.

Lake Forest Open Lands is part of Chicago Wilderness’ Leave No Child Inside initiative where a network of regional organizations focus on helping people create healthier lives and more vibrant communities through fostering a relationship with nature and each other.

Chicago Wilderness recognizes that time spent out outdoors in nature is critical to children’s physical, social and emotional development. Research also shows that unstructured play in nature (child-centered, exploratory, imaginative play) encourages creativity, emotional well-being, independent learning and problem solving. And, it lets kids connect with the place in which they live and the larger environment on which we all depend.

Join the movement of exploring nature today! Children and their families are pledging to spend 150 minutes (in honor of the City’s 150th anniversary) outside during Earth Day weekend by signing Lake Forest Open Lands’ pledge for “The Play Out” at http://www.lfola.org

The Care of Trees (www.thecareoftrees.com) is an award-winning, client-focused firm that focuses on organic and sustainable tree care. Along with providing the full range of tree care services for residential, commercial, institutional and municipal clients, The Care of Trees specializes in preserving trees in land developments. It has 8 locations serving metropolitan Chicago. The Care of Trees has earned the Tree Care Industry Association Accreditation and is a multi-year honor roll member of Companies That Care.

Lake Forest Open Lands Association is dedicated to conserving our natural environment through land acquisition, habitat restoration and environmental education. This non-profit organization is supported completely by voluntary contributions, including membership dues and donations. Since its establishment in 1967, Lake Forest Open Lands has acquired, reserved, restored and maintained over 800 acres of local native landscapes including prairies, savannas, woodlands and wetlands for the benefit and enjoyment of the local communities. Our 12 miles of walking trails are open to the public year-round. We are proud of our history and in particular our pioneering use of conservation development and conservation financing techniques. Considered a leader among land trusts, Lake Forest Open Lands often serves as a resource to other emerging conservation groups in communities nationwide.

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Lake Forest Open Lands Encourages Children to Play Outside