Get the whole family outside again this May
After a series of March and April fake-outs, real spring is finally here. But it won't last long, so don’t wait to plan fun outdoor activities. While you’re making those plans, consider a few special trips for your older or health-challenged loved ones as well. We all need to get outside to stretch a little and enjoy the sunshine. And with Mother’s Day on May 8 and National Senior Health and Fitness Day on May 25, what more encouragement do you need to plan outdoor events this month that the whole family can enjoy?
To help you out, we’ve provided planning information and a catalog of links to easily accessible local parks, gardens, nature preserves, museums, recreational districts and festivals. Please take some time to click around on the linked websites’ calendar pages to find events of interest. There should be something on this list for everyone to enjoy, from flowers to fossils, and ferns to fuselages!
Once you’ve settled on a destination, be sure to check the location website for any last minute changes to hours or special events. If you aren't sure that a website has been updated since the pandemic, it's always best to call first and talk to a real human. And please ask about accessibility if that’s an issue for your family. Many institutions have made great strides in providing quality experiences for a full range of visitors. For example, Texas Parks & Wildlife now provides disability access at many state parks, including nearby Dinosaur Valley State Park. You can find a list of accessible Texas parks and features here, and a calendar of wheelchair-friendly state park events here.
Of course, many of these locations and events have entrance fees, which can add up quickly when the whole family gets involved, especially as parking, gas and food costs must also be considered. So here are some ways to save on those fees...
First, check the location website for senior, student and veteran discounts. Some locations may also provide discounted evenings, occasional whole days or even seasonal discounts. Next, consider purchasing a membership instead of individual tickets. If you do the math for a household membership or one that offers reciprocal discounts at other institutions, that one-time payment might be worth it. For instance, membership at the Fort Worth Botanic Garden not only includes free admission to that park, it also includes free admission to over 300 other institutions, including the Dallas Arboretum and the Clark Gardens in Weatherford. And here’s a hint — memberships at favorite institutions make lovely Mother’s Day gifts.
Many institutions also participate in the Museums for All program that provides free or reduced admission to individuals receiving food assistance (SNAP benefits). Just check the Museums for All website to make sure the location you want to visit has signed up for the program, then present an EBT card at the visitor desk. Each EBT card provides free or reduced admission for at least four people, and there is no need to pre-register for the program.
Finally, two beloved Fort Worth institutions provide free entrance passes through the Fort Worth Library reservation system: the Fort Worth Botanic Garden and the nearby Log Cabin Village. Unfortunately, these passes are separate, and they cannot be reserved for specific dates. Rather, they operate in the same way as popular library books: if no pass is immediately available (and the Botanic Garden passes rarely are) you have to reserve one, and then wait until the library informs you that your pass is available. This can take weeks, which makes the system unwieldy for families who need to plan around complicated school calendars. The system does work better for older or retired folks, though, as long as they are able to set their own daily or weekly schedules.
The Botanic Garden library pass offers free admission for two adults and any number of children under 17 who reside in the same household. The Log Cabin Village library pass offers free admission for four guests, and does not specify their ages. Both passes can be used for a full week before they must be returned to the library. Like library books, there are fees for overdue or lost passes, so be careful not to lose one.
Finally, May is also Skin Cancer Awareness Month. We all know that North Texas days can get hot quickly. Please pay attention to weather reports and plan outdoor activities with your older loved ones for the cooler morning hours. If you know that you might still be out and about when the temperatures rise in the late afternoon, have a pleasantly air conditioned refuge in mind, preferably one with cooling refreshments and comfortable restrooms available.
If you need help with planning, transportation or companionship for a day out with your older loved ones, please keep us in mind as well. Call the compassionate caregivers at Overture Home Care 24/7 at (817) 887-9401 and find out how we can help get you and your loved ones outside again this May.
LINKS:
LOCAL EVENTS
Trinity River Mayfest on May 5-8, 2022
https://www.mayfest.org/
Texas Scottish Fest and Highland Games on May 6-8, 2022 (Decatur, TX)
https://www.texasscots.com
LOCAL GARDENS, NATURE CENTERS and ARBORETUMS
Fort Worth Botanic Garden
https://fwbg.org/
Fort Worth Library Botanic Garden Pass information page
https://www.fortworthtexas.gov/departments/library/services/botanic-garden-passes
Fort Worth Nature Center & Refuge
https://www.fwnaturecenter.org/
Chandor Gardens (Weatherford, TX)
https://weatherfordtx.gov/170/Chandor-Gardens
Clark Gardens (Weatherford, TX)
https://www.clarkgardens.org/
Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden (Dallas, TX)
https://www.dallasarboretum.org/
Texas Discovery Gardens at Fair Park (Dallas, TX)
https://txdg.org/
LOCAL MUSEUMS / INSTITUTIONS with OUTDOOR AREAS
Log Cabin Village
https://www.logcabinvillage.org/
(NOTE: Log Cabin Village will be closed for maintenance May 23-30, 2022;
to reserve a pass: from the Fort Worth Library search page, search "Log Cabin Village pass")
Fort Worth Zoo
https://www.fortworthzoo.org
(If it's a school day, try visiting in the afternoon to avoid the field trip crowds.)
Kimbell Art Museum
https://kimbellart.org
Fort Worth Aviation Museum at Meacham Int’l Airport
https://fortworthaviationmuseum.com
Dallas Heritage Village (Dallas, TX)
https://dallasheritagevillage.org
LOCAL ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICTS
Sundance Square
https://sundancesquare.com/
Fort Worth Stockyards
https://fortworthstockyards.com
https://www.fortworthstockyards.org
The Clearfork Development at Edwards Ranch
https://www.clearfork1848.com/
WORTH THE DRIVE
Dinosaur Valley State Park
https://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/dinosaur-valley
Fossil Rim Wildlife Center (drive-through safari park)
https://fossilrim.org/