Osceola-News-Gazette_344532

It's no secret we know a thing or two about alligators! To share our knowledge and passion with visitors, we're offering everyone FREE admission to our Gator Park when you make a small cash donation during Gator Week! This one-of-a-kind event lets you and your family enjoy a week full of gator-themed activities and demonstrations. All the proceeds raised will go toward our Wild Florida scholarship fund to help graduating high school seniors pay for college. PLAN YOUR ADVENTURE AT www. .com GATORWEEK 3301 Lake Cypress Rd. Kenansville, FL 34739 407-957-3135 052523.STF A healthy summer is one when individuals avoid illness and make the most of a time of year when no one wants to battle colds or other issues that affect their well-being. The following are a handful of strategies that can help people enjoy a healthy summer. • Protect your skin from the sun. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends individuals apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a sun-protection factor (SPF) of 15 or higher before going outside. Sunscreen should then be reapplied as necessary and especially after swimming or excessive sweating. The American Cancer Society notes that sunburn that blisters can increase risk for skin cancer, but sunburns affect short- term health as well. Studies have shown that sunburn adversely affects immune system response, which could make people more vulnerable to viruses like COVID-19 or the common cold. • Limit alcohol consumption. Social schedules tend to fill up in summer, as seemingly everyone wants to host a backyard barbecue. The party vibe synonymous with summer leads to increased opportunities to drink alcohol, but excessive amounts of alcohol and summer sun are a bad combination. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, hot summer days increase fluid loss through perspiration, while alcohol contributes to fluid loss through an increased need to urinate. Significant fluid loss can lead to dehydration and heat stroke. • Eat the right foods. Summer is not typically as hectic a time of year as other seasons, particularly for parents accustomed to driving kids from one activity to another during the school year. But come summer, weekends filled with social engagements and a greater desire to be active outdoors can prove exhausting. The CDC notes that a diet filled with colorful fruits and vegetables supports muscles, strengthens bones and boosts immunity. That can make it easier to handle a physically active summer regimen and ensure that the immune system is in better position to fight off anything that may want to get in the way of summer fun. • Get adequate sleep. What’s better than a midday summertime nap? The answer to that is better sleep overnight. Adults should aspire to get between seven and eight hours of sleep each night, which can fortify their immune system and ensure they don’t miss out on any summertime fun. A healthy summer makes for a more enjoyable summer. By embracing various immune-boosting strategies, individuals can make this summer even more fun. How to enjoy a healthy summer Fresh air and fun — visit a local park this summer By Ken Jackson Editor Osceola County and its two cities have a number of public parks to spend the day at, playing with your children and pets while enjoying some unspoiled natural beauty, and maybe having a picnic away from home, but not too far away. Here are some options: County Parks (www.osceola.org/agencies- departments/parks/parks- facilities/) • 65TH INFANTRY VETERANS PARK 301 Buenaventura Blvd., Kissimmee • CHEROKEE POINT CONSERVATION AREA 2501 Cherokee Road, St. Cloud • HOLOPAW NEIGHBORHOOD PARK 5185 Pierre Ave., Holopaw • KENANSVILLE COMMUNITY CENTER AND PARK 1178 S. Canoe Creek Road, Kenansville • LAKE LIZZIE CONSERVATION AREA 6495 Old Melbourne Hwy., St. Cloud • LAKE RUNNYMEDE CONSERVATION AREA 4600 Rummell Road, St. Cloud • MARYDIA NEIGHBORHOOD PARK 2942 Tampa Avenue, Kissimmee • PARTIN TRIANGLE NEIGHBORHOOD PARK 2830 Neptune Road, Kissimmee • ROYAL PALM NEIGHBORHOOD PARK 156 Turpin Lane, Kissimmee • SENSES PARK 2296 Camelia Drive, Kissimmee (All-Inclusive Playground that caters to children on the autism spectrum) • SHELBY COX MEMORIAL PARK 5618 Old Tampa Highway, Intercession City • SHINGLE CREEK REGIONAL PARK 4266 W. Vine Street, Kissimmee (Note, Steffee Homestead trails remain closed due to lingering hurricane damage) • SOUTHPORT REGIONAL PARK 2001 E. Southport Road, Kissimmee • TROPICAL NEIGHBORHOOD PARK 994 West Tropicana Court, Kissimmee • TUPPERWARE ISLAND CONSERVATION AREA / BROWNIE WISE PARK 1150 Aultman Road, Kissimmee • TWIN OAKS CONSERVATION AREA 2001 Macy Island Road, Kissimmee • WATERSEDGE NEIGHBORHOOD PARK 275 Waters Edge Drive, Kissimm ee City of Kissimmee (https://www.kissimmee.gov/ government/kissimmee-parks- recreation/parks-public-lands) • Brinson Park 406 Neptune Road • Chambers Park & Pavilion 2380 N. Smith Street • Kissimmee Lakefront Park (multiple pavilions) 201 Lakeview Drive • Ladue Park 1112 W. Catherine Street • Mill Run Park 1451 Mill Slough Road • Mill Slough Park 2138 Agate Street • Oak Street Park 717 N. Palm Ave. • Quail Hollow Park 1716 Woodcrest Blvd. • Rainbow Park 2204 Denn John Lane City of St. Cloud (www.stcloudfl.gov/1482/Parks) • Cannery Park 901 Virginia Ave. • Centennial Park 1214 10th St. • Community Garden 801 New York Ave. • Dakota Park Dakota Ave. and Lakeshore Blvd. • Hopkins Park 620 E. 17th St. • Lakefront Park 1104 Lakeshore Blvd. • O.P. Johnson Park 300 Georgia Ave. • Peghorn Nature Park 2101 Peghorn Way • Ralph Chisholm Regional Park 4700 Chisholm Park Trail • Ted Broda Park 4499 Michigan Ave. PHOTO/METRO CREATIVE