Taking time to unplug has physical, mental, social and health benefits. Spending time with family and friends encourages healthy habits and can lower health risks such as stress and high blood pressure, according to the Mayo Clinic. Here are some ways you can unplug at the Park Ridge Park Ridge Park District this autumn:

**Take part in our BioBlitz on Wednesday, September 20 at the Wildwood Program Center. Use the iNaturalist app to take pictures of plants, animals and insects and help catalog local pollinators in our park system.

**Head to Hodges Park on Saturday, September 23 for Trucktoberfest. It’s everything you love about our Oktoberfest event, just with a new name. Great food & beer, live music, contests for all ages and children’s activities including inflatables.

**Sign up to celebrate preparing for Halloween with us at the annual Halloween Hoopla event at Wildwood Nature Center on October 13 and 14.

**Get in the Halloween spirit without leaving your front yard! Decorate your home for the holiday and sign up for the Halloween House Decorating Contest. Find out if your house is the spookiest, most family-friendly, most creative or has the best theme in Park Ridge.

**Whatever your fitness level, the Centennial Fitness Center is open and here to help you reach your goals. In addition to the gym, indoor pool, cardio and weight areas, we also offer indoor, outdoor and aqua group fitness classes. Stop by the Fitness Center to hear what we have planned for National Yoga Awareness Month in September.

**Get out your clubs and practice your swing at the Oakton Driving Range, which is open until October 29.
Any level of skater will enjoy the Oakton Ice Arena during public skating hours. We offer one-hour sessions every day.

**Explore the grounds at the Wildwood Nature Center with a self-guided walk through our five-acre natural oasis and enjoy our two ponds, restored native prairie and woodland walk.

**Walk, bike or run through one of our beautiful parks.

**Spend some time at one of our 14 playgrounds.

**Have a quick game or just practice at our outdoor tennis courts, pickleball court or basketball courts.

**Get together with your friends or family by hosting a private rental at one of our indoor or outdoor rental facilities.

**We are also currently offering a full range of in-person and online programs for all ages. Visit www.prparks.org for details and to register. If you need assistance accessing your account or instructions on how to register online, please contact our customer service staff at 847-692-5127 or at [email protected].

We are looking forward to seeing you unplug with us soon!