Getting a break from the summer heat

It’s the peak of summer, which means hot weather and lots of humidity.

For many that means staying indoors where it is cool.

But, from 5 - 9 p.m. on Mon. July 11, many O’Fallon and Shiloh residents had the opportunity to enjoy swimming in the cool water at O’Fallon’s Memorial Pool.

The best part — it didn’t cost residents a penny.

The City of O’Fallon hosted a ‘Free Swim Night’ for both O’Fallon and Shiloh residents at Memorial Pool, located at Community Park, 401 E. Fifth Street. The ‘Free Swim Night’ was offered in celebration of July being named Park & Recreation month.

“In celebration of Park and Recreation Month, I encouraged O’Fallon residents to take advantage of all the amenities that our great parks offer,” said Mayor Gary Graham. “We have everything from walking/biking trails at the Sports Park, Rock Springs Park and Thoman Park to swimming, tennis and baseball at Community Park. There is a little something for everyone to enjoy.”

O’Fallon’s parks and recreation are vitally important to establishing and maintaining the quality of life in our community, ensuring the health of all citizens, and contributing to the economic environmental well-being of O’Fallon and the region.

Parks and recreation programs build healthy, active communities that aid in the prevention of chronic disease, provide therapeutic recreation services for those who are mentally or physically disabled, and also improve the mental and emotional health of all citizens.

Additionally, parks and recreation programs increase a community’s economic prosperity through increased property values, expansion of the local tax base, increased tourism, the attraction and retention of businesses, and crime reduction.

Park and recreation agencies touch the lives of individuals, families, groups, and the entire community, positively impacting the community’s social, economic, health, and environmental quality. In recognition of the important services these agencies provide, the National Park and Recreation Association has designated July as Park and Recreation Month.

For more information on Park and Recreation Month, log on to www.nrpa.org, or visitwww.ofallon.org/ofallon-parks-and-recreation to find out more about activities near you.

This story was originally published July 13, 2016 at 3:35 PM with the headline "Getting a break from the summer heat."