July is Parks & Recreation Month

The City celebrates Parks and Recreation Month throughout the month of July with special events and programs. SportsFest on July 11 and the Explore Gaithersburg! Park Passport program are just a few highlights of the month-long celebration.

The Mayor and City Council will proclaim July as "Parks and Recreation Month" in the City of Gaithersburg at its meeting on July 6. The proclamation encourages all Gaithersburg residents to explore all that the City's parks and recreation programs have to offer in building healthy, active communities.

"With this year's theme, 'The Power of,' we're celebrating parks and recreation and the dedicated people who make it all possible," said Carolyn Muller, Director of Gaithersburg Parks, Recreation and Culture. "Parks and recreation programs unite us, boost our health and well being, and help create stronger, more connected communities."

Throughout the month, the City of Gaithersburg is celebrating the many ways parks and recreation reveal the power of what connects us:

• The Power of Connection: Parks and recreation is where relationships grow, cultures meet, and communities bond.
• The Power of Play: From playgrounds to programs to youth sports, play fuels creativity, joy and lifelong learning.
• The Power of Community: Public spaces offer room for everyone to gather, celebrate, and heal.
• The Power of Nature: Nature restores and inspires us, and parks ensure everyone can access its benefits.
• The Power of Belonging: Welcoming parks and programs make every person feel valued.
• The Power of Well-Being: Parks and recreation advances health, resilience, and shared community benefits.

Accepting the Parks and Recreation Month proclamation is Program Supervisor Ana Bonilla and her family for exemplifying the "Power of… Parks and Recreation." Ana's connection to City recreation programs began as a Gaithersburg Student Union member in 2011 and grew into roles ranging from camp counselor to full-time staff member, now serving as a program supervisor at Casey Community Center.

Ana's siblings, Melissa, Alejandra, Nathan, and Sophia, have all taken part in a wide range of youth programs, internships, and seasonal jobs, contributing to the community in their own ways. Ana's parents, Alfredo and Evelyn Lievano, frequently volunteer at events and programs, and her grandmother, Ana Gladis Bonilla, is an active member of the Benjamin Gaither Center. Together, the family continues to share the impact of Parks and Recreation with their church, friends, and broader community.

Since 1985, the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) has led the nationwide celebration of Parks and Recreation Month each July, highlighting the essential role that parks and recreation services play in building stronger communities across the United States. Parks and recreation programs are fundamental to community wellness, fostering environments where lifelong friendships flourish and families create cherished memories that span generations. These spaces serve as cornerstones of public health, social connection, and community vitality.

During Parks and Recreation Month, the City is offering a variety of opportunities to celebrate health, fitness, and cultural arts. Explore them all.