Texas Parks to Visit and Recreation Safety Tips to Enjoy

green field with wildflowers

Texas Parks to Visit and Recreation Safety Tips to Enjoy

Let’s Learn About Park and Recreation Safety

In celebration of National Parks and Recreation Month, Altus Emergency Centers is challenging the community to improve their quality of life by going out and enjoying one of the many parks around their city. The best way to plan out a great time outdoors is to first learn about park and recreation safety.

Spending time outdoors promotes a healthy vibrant community life, whether it’s summer camp, a sports league, exploring a trail, playing chess in the park, or organizing play dates for the kids; parks are the perfect gathering place.

To ensure you experience a safe outing, we have prepared a handy list of Park and Recreation Safety Tips to keep in mind!

National Parks & Recreation Month: Keeping it Safe and Fun

4 children on a playground

Playground Safety Tips.

The most common summer activity is a trip to the playground. The following park and recreation safety tips are important to keep in mind during your visit the the playground:

  • Wear Proper Shoes: Make sure your kids footwear is adequate to play and run, never let your child play barefoot at the park as they may be bitten by insects, step on a thorn or small rock or burn their feet on hot surfaces.
  • Watch Out for Hot Surfaces: During summer, slides, swings, monkey bars, merry-go-rounds and even picnic tables may become overheated by the sun, so, always check the surface temperature.
  • Stranger Danger: Teach your children not to speak or follow adult strangers, and to immediately run towards you or someone they know to report the incident. While not everyone has bad intentions, it is best for kids not to engage in conversation with adults they do not know.
man on a hike

Hiking Safety Tips

Hiking is an excellent acivity for all ages. You may choose the pace and distance that you wish to hike and enjoy the scenery during your voyage. The following park and recreation safety tips are important to keep in mind when planning on your next hiking quest:

  • Tell People: Always inform friends and family the route you’ll be taking and how long you expect to be gone; if possible always travel with a companion.
  • Carry ID: Make sure to carry some sort of ID that includes your name, phone number, address, pertinent medical information, and emergency contact information.
  • Carry a Whistle: This will help scare wild animals or signal for help should you be injured.
  • Plan Your Route: Become familiarized with a trail before you head out, do not venture into unknown hiking trails by yourself.
happy camping family

Camping Safety Tips

If you’re a woodsy person at heart, camping is wonderful to replenish the mind and spirit. It is particulary important to heed the park and recreation safety tips while on your home in the wilderness away from home.

  • Stay Away from Wildlife: Clearly one of the joys of camping is to commune with nature, but, it is better to enjoy the wildlife from afar. If you do come face to face with a wild animal, regardless of if it’s a bear or a squirrel do your best not to disturb them, this will keep you out of trouble and possibly a visit to one of our centers.
  • Respect the Fire Rules of the Park: Most parks that offer camping sites have clear rules when it comes to camp fires, make sure you find out what they are and that you respect them. Unattended or poorly managed campfires have been known to start wildfires that can destroy thousands of acres, kill wildlife, and endanger human population as well.
  • Store Food Carefully: Again, check the food regulations with park officials before you set out on your camping trip. Food should be properly stored for several reasons, preventing food poisoning while camping and, avoiding a close encounter with dangerous animals.
family of 4 in front of some trees

General Park Safety Tips

No matter which outdoor activity is your cup of tea, the following are universal park and recreation safety tips to always take into consideration:

  • Wear Sunscreen: We cannot stress the importance of sunscreen enough, make sure to reapply every couple of hours to avoid getting sunburned.
  • Stay Hydrated: Carry a water bottle, and, if you plan to go for a hike, make sure to take snacks along with you.
  • Check for Ticks: Lyme Disease is a serious illness, it can be easily treated when diagnosed early, but, if left untreated, it can linger for years and cause serious side effects. After a day at the park, make sure you check yourself and your family for ticks.
  • Watch Out for Poisonous Plants: Learn to identify the different poisonous plants that grow in these parts, poison ivy and poison sumac can both cause nasty rashes just by touching them, but poison hemlock can actually kill you. If you come in contact with any of these plants head to the nearest Altus Emergency Center for treatment, if possible take a picture of the plant so we can identify it and administer the proper treatment.

Texas Parks to Visit

We are blessed with so many wonderful parks in our beautiful state of Texas! The following are just some of the many great options to consider for this weekend. There are so many, you can plan to visit a new park every weekend! Have a lovely time and share your photos on our social media pages!

Baytown, Texas Parks

The following are just a few of the many beautiful parks in Baytown, Texas:

  • Jenkins Park
  • Goose Creek Park
  • Allenbrook Park
  • Baytown Nature Center
  • Blue Heron Park
  • Roseland Park
  • Hollaway JC Park
  • WC Britton Park
  • Wayne Gray Sports Complex
  • McElroy Park
  • Eddie Huron Park
  • Bicentennial Park
  • Bayland Park
  • Edna Mae Washington Park
  • Brownwood Park
  • Unidad Park
  • W.C. Britton Park
Big Thicket in Lumberton, TX

Lake Jackson, Texas Parks

The following are just a few of the many colorful parks in Lake Jackson, Texas:

  • Brazos Oaks
  • Brazoswood Key Club
  • Brazoria Natural Wildlife Refuge
  • Captain R.R. Terry Park
  • Dunbar Park
  • Fireman’s Park
  • Garland Park
  • Jasmine Park
  • James F. Crews Park
  • MacLean Park
  • Morrison Park and Shy Pond
  • Shadowglen Park
  • Wilderness Park
Morrison Park at sunset

Lufkin, Texas Parks

The following are just a few of the many breathtaking parks in the area of Lufkin, Texas:

  • Azalea Trail
  • Angelina National Forest
  • Davy Crockett National Forest
  • Chambers Park
  • Kiwanis Park
  • Grace Dunne Richardson Park
  • Jones Park
  • Wetlands Garden Park
  • Herty Park
  • Winston
  • Mantooth Park
  • Louis Bronaugh Park
Angelina National Forest east of Lufkin, TX

Lumberton, Texas Parks

The following are just a few of the many vibrant parks in Lumberton, Texas:

  • Village Creek State Park
  • Big Thicket RV Park
  • Thompson Lake Park
  • Red Cloud RV Park
  • State Park Fishing Spot
Big Thicket in Lumberton, TX

Waxahachie, Texas Parks

The following are just a few of the many fun-filled parks in Waxahachie, Texas:

  • Getzendaner Park
  • Chapman Park
  • George Brown Plaza
  • Lions Park
  • Brown Singleton Park
  • Brown Chiles Park
  • Richards Park
  • Lee Penn Park
  • Belle-Vue Park
  • Wags-a-Hachie Dog Park
  • Waxahachie Sports Complex
  • Waxahachie Lake Pavillion
  • A&F Thompson Memorial Park
  • Waxahachie Creek Hike & Bike Trail
Getzendaner Park in Waxahachie, TX

Take Care of Yourself and Your Loved Ones.

Have a Safe and Fun National Parks and Recreation Month!

At Altus Emergency Centers we encourage you to get outdoors to enjoy a safe, fun and healthy time with the family. Enjoy!

Find an Altus ER Near You.

Altus Emergency Room Baytown

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