Summer is a great time to have fun with friends and family. However, so many activities cost a lot of money. It is becoming more and more expensive to go places and to do activities and to eat food. For example, to go on just four rides at the Rose Festival Carnival, it costs $20! Unlimited rides costs about $50! This is outrageous. Having fun should not mean needing to spend a bunch of money. This summer, don’t break your bank trying to have fun, but find an unbreakable smile doing things that don’t cost a penny.

So here’s my solution: go to a park. Get one friend, a bunch of friends, family, or that special someone and go to a park. Parks are a great places to enjoy the outdoors and bond with others through pleasant conversation and outdoor activities. Some parks that are nice in the Portland Metro Area are Sellwood Riverfront Park and nearby, Oaks Bottom (Southeast Portland), Mt. Tabor, Clackamette Park (Oregon City), Mary S. Young Park (West Linn). Each of these parks have been found to be very green and nice to be at.

Some pros about going to a park besides the beautiful scenery and fresh air are all the activities you can do there. For example, if you don’t have a frisbee or a football on hand (both of which provide fun games to engage in at these parks), you can go on a relaxing walk throughout the park or on a trail attached to the park. The great thing about these walks is that they are not difficult, but calming and a good time to have a conversation with a friend.

Everything I have described here is free! You do not need to pay to go to a local park like these and also the activities you can do there will not cost you anything. If you have a soccer ball or something you can play with at the park, then bring it! But, if you don’t, walking and conversation don’t cost anything either. Another thing besides walking and playing, is just sitting and relaxing, enjoying the surrounding nature and your company.

While you are at the park, picnics are also a blast. Bring some crackers, fruits, vegetables, anything you have at your house that sounds good! If you get some snacks that you already have on hand, you will not need to spend money buying food when you are out.

This summer, if you are pressed for cash or just want to have fun, go to a park, take a walk, relax, play outside, eat some snacks, enjoy the nature around you and the people with you.

Creative Commons photo source:https://www.flickr.com/photos/11444813@N03/9143051468/in/photolist