Take the “Five in July” Park Pledge

July is Parks and Recreation Month. As County Commissioners, we recognize that parks and recreation areas play a fundamental role in the health and well-being of our community. So, with that in mind, we challenge area residents to take the National Parks and Recreation Month challenge, Take the Five in July Park Pledge.

Take the five Fridays, five Saturdays and five Sundays this month to create healthy weekend habits by getting outdoors and exploring the parks, trails, playgrounds and natural areas at your Worcester County Parks. You’ll be amazed to discover the wonders awaiting you at the 13 parks and recreation areas nestled between the northernmost and southernmost tips of the county.

Worcester County Recreation and Parks acquired its first park, John Walter Smith Park in Snow Hill, in 1974.  Newtown Park and Showell Park followed in 1975 and 1976.

The park system continued to grow by leaps and bounds with the Isle of Wight Park and Stockton Park coming online in 1985 and 1988. However, the greatest park growth occurred in the 1990s. In 1990, Bishopville Park was established, followed by the Northern Worcester Athletic Complex in 1992. In 1993, the Herring Creek Nature Park opened, and in 1995 the Newark Park was developed. The Whaleyville Park opened in 1999, and in 2003, the Homer Gudlesky Park opened.

In 2006, the county received Greys Creek Nature Park and in 2009 received the Girdletree Park. These two parks are in the developmental stages and not yet open to the public.

What can you expect to find at Worcester County parks? While each of the parks offers diverse recreational opportunities, combined they offer playgrounds, pavilions,fishing, crabbing, canoe and kayak launches, lighted multi-purpose fields,dugouts, and softball fields along with hours upon hours of recreational and leisure time.

Visit your local Worcester County parks with family and friends to have fun, engage in great outdoor activities and keep fit. For more information regarding Worcester County Recreation & Parks programs and parks, call 410-632-2144.