Three Rivers Park District Says “Opt Outside” for Black Friday
Black Friday is synonymous with binge shopping and jam-packed stores. But the Three Rivers Park District is encouraging everyone to skip the chaos at the mall and enjoy the great outdoors with an annual event called, “Opt Outside.”
Three Rivers wants people to forget about buying stuff and instead go outside and hike, ski or do some kind of physical activity.
“You can get out, walk off all that turkey,” said Tom Knisely from Three Rivers Park District. “Go on a hike with your friends and your family. Go to Eastman Nature Center. Visit the wildlife viewing area. See the songbirds up close as they visit the feeders. The deer, the turkeys that come to visit. It’s just really a wonderful time to get out.”
Opt outside options
According to Knisely, there are plenty of opt outside options at Elm Creek Park Reserve in Maple Grove, especially after the recent snowstorm that hit the northwest suburbs.
“Skiing is open and available,” Knisely said. “Ski rentals are available and for the weekend we are going to partially open the terrain park and also open the bunny hill.”
“With friends and family over for the holidays, it gets real stressful,” Knisely said. “Why not skip the chaos, go outside, reconnect with nature. Here at Elm Creek we have 13 miles of hiking trails.”
Three Rivers also has another suggestion when it comes to Holiday shopping. Instead of buying things, buy experiences – such as a ski or tubing pass from Elm Creek.
