Lucy reading on a park bench in the Twin Citie

Here's a simple formula to make a park exciting. Add a sculpture in front of a park bench and you have essentially transformed a plot of grass into an outdoor museum.

It certainly works for St. Paul, Minn. They added hundreds of statues from the Charlie Brown cartoon series and have turned many of their parks into tourist destinations, creating a sense of civic pride as well with local residents.

There is a connection between the city and the Charlie Brown creator Charles Schultz. He was born there and went on to become one of the most popular cartoonists in history. At his peak, his "Peanuts" comic strip was featured in 2,600 newspapers which spawned several TV specials as well.

When he died in 2000 at the age of 77, the statues were created to honor his legacy.

Now more than 100 statues of Charlie Brown, Lucy, Linus, Snoopy and Woodstock can be seen interspersed in parks all over the Twin Cities. Created

Monday, March 30 is National Take a Walk in a Park Da

Ralph Waldo Emerson said: "The civilized man has built a coach but lost the use of his feet." An inspiring quote that ties in perfectly with getting out of house this Monday, March 30, for National Take a Walk in a Park Day.

Naturally, the idea behind these celebratory days is to not wait every 365 days to actually do the task, e.g. plant a flower. Or to drive to a park, walk a few hundred feet and then sit on a park bench and check your email. There's always a message behind these designated mini-holidays.

The idea of National Take A Walk in A Park Day is to do more walking in the real world and less interacting with the digital world. Civilized

"Park Bench" show features Steve Buscemi interviewing Rosie Pere

There's something about sitting on a park bench that is conducive to starting a conversation. Maybe it's the wide open spaces. Perhaps it's the fresh air. Or maybe it's just the relaxing environment of a vibrant green park on a bright sunny day that helps people let their guard down and participate in an engaging dialogue.

Who knows exactly what it is.

But one person who recognizes this power in a park bench is the famous actor Steve Buscemi. "Park Bench" is the title of the sort-of-talk show he started and eventually sold to AOL for its "Original" video channel.

The idea for the series is simple. Buscemi gets involved in an intimate conversation with people from all walks of life while sitting on a park bench. Those subjects include not just fellow actors and politicians

When you sell park picnic tables, park benches, bicycle racks, aluminum bleachers and