wood picnic tables

Picnic tables in the education area at the Tashjian Bee and Pollinator Discovery Center at the popular Minnesota Landscape Arboretum

Visitors to the Tashjian Bee and Pollinator Discovery Center will now be able to sit on new wooden picnic tables to learn about the vital role these little flying workers play in the world's ecology.

The world-renowned research center is part of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum at the University of Minnesota in Chaska, MN.

The arboretum covers 1,137 acres and offers an amazing display of gardens, trails and natural areas with 5,000 different species of plants. It is considered to be one of the premier horticultural field laboratories and public display areas in the world and was named Best Botanical

The City of West Palm Beach arranged for local artists to paint 25 picnic tables with an Aesop's Fables theme

Want to create a great attraction for your park this summer with picnic tables?

One city came up with an idea to liven up their surroundings by using wooden picnic tables as canvases for local artists to display their talents.

What a fantastic (and simple) strategy to bring people to a park or promotion!

And what a clever way to generate revenue for your park (The city will auction off these tables at the end of the summer).

These artistic picnic tables are part of the

Wed. March 30 is "Take a Walk in a Park Day" and a time to appreciate the value of parks

If you are looking for something to do on Wed., March 30, here's a worthwhile (and free) activity to fill your calendar. That day is national "Take A Walk In A Park Day."

This official designation is meant as a reminder for Americans to set aside time Wednesday or any day for a walk in a park and get yourself a shot of "Vitamin G" (for green).

It's not an endeavor that will cost you any money. You won't need special equipment to participate. You can do it alone or with a friend.

Okay, people might say. I get it. Taking a walk in a park is good for you. Inhale a bit of fresh air, absorb a little sunshine, take a few minutes to relax. And then get out of there. Sure, we're kind of busy but we will keep that take a walk in a park day in mind.

Actually, there's a much bigger picture behind take a walk in a park day.

According to study titled

Source: Heartland Habitat for Humanit

The first Thanksgiving held in America back in 1621 was held on wooden picnic tables and in a show of support and thanks, The Park Catalog has donated 400 wooden planks to the Heartland Habitat for Humanity in Kansas City, KS.

If you are not familiar with the charity, Habitat for Humanity is an amazing organization. It was created in 1976 by Millard and Linda Fuller and its purpose is to eliminate substandard housing, homelessness and basically provide places for people to live.

As we gather around the dinner table this Thursday, many of us may take for granted that roof over our heads. But an adequate home is something a large part of the world's population does not get to enjoy. There are an estimated 2 billion people who live in slum housing and more than 100 million are homeless. That's Habitat for Humanity's mission, to create "a world where everyone has a decent