Nature Deficit Disorder? Listings of area parks

"Nature Deficit Disorder" has gotten some press coverage lately- I heard about it on NPR. Although it is a catch phrase, not a true disorder as the term is generally understood, and I tend to despise anything that smacks of media hype, I think this is something worth keeping in mind for our kids.

You may enjoy this article by Melissa Gaulding of Huntley Meadows Park. She discusses some recent findings about how time spent outdoors affects children not only physically, but socially. It just confirms the instinct we've all identified to get these kiddos outside as much as the weather permits.

To help you plan your outdoor activities, you can subscribe to air quality updates by visiting http://www.cleanairpartners.net/ You can also request only to receive real time alerts when the air quality hits orange or red.

Mamas, here are some links to some listings of parks and playgrounds, so you can make the most of getting your kids outdoors.

Alexandria City: http://www3.alexandriava.gov/recreation/parks/park_facts.html

Very good park descriptions, including amenities list and description of playground facilities.

Arlington: http://www.arlingtonva.us/Departments/ParksRecreation/scripts/playgrounds/ParksRecreationScriptsPlaygroundsPlaygrounds.aspx
Not quite as descriptive, but I think if you search on the park names you can turn up more information. This is a good index.

Fairfax County: http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/glance001.htm
Fairfax unfortunately mainly lists the major parks, and does not provide a good way to find info on playgrounds and amenities at minor parks. If anyone has turned up this info, please post it as a comment, or just make a note of the location and facilities at your favorite local park.

Here's an article about best parks in the local area: http://dc.about.com/od/childrensactivities/a/BestPlaygrounds.htm

And one to the DC parks department: http://dpr.dc.gov/dpr/site/default.asp

and here's Fairfax City: http://www.fairfaxva.gov/ParksRec/CityParks.asp

And lest we forget, the Virginia State Parks: http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state_parks/state_park.shtml

Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority: http://www.nvrpa.org/

Maryland State Parks:
http://www.dnr.state.md.us/PUBLICLANDS/

and National Parks:
http://www.nps.gov/