We all need some kind of a break when we are overwhelmed and consumed with multiple essays, exams, reports and other homework assignments. If we do not get this “pause” in our day to day work-filled schedules, stress, anxiety and negativeness will build up to the point where it reaches our breaking points. Before this build-up occurs, we can try to limit these harmful emotions by taking some time to ourselves to relax and refocus on keeping mentally healthy while balancing school work.
There are many different techniques to cope with these daily stresses.Visiting a park and taking a stroll through a scenic path is a strategy that is both close in distance and FREE! The following five parks in Gloucester County that I picked are less than 15 minutes from Rowan University and places where one can go to relax and enjoy the wonders of the outdoors.
1. James G. Atkinson Memorial Park, Huffville
This park is a whopping 66 acres, full of open spaces and forests that feature several walking paths. The main path you can walk to leads to the park’s lake, Bethel Lake, to catch a glance at ducks, turtles and even eels! Atkinson Park is perfect for people who are beginners at wildlife-watching and are interested in seeing finches, robins, blue jays and wild turkeys.
2. Alcyon Lake Park, Pitman
Alcyon Lake Park offers a lot of different scenery in terms of plants like trees, shrubs and flowers. Walking down the many paths through the forests there, one can find pine oaks, river birches and wild cherry trees in the area. To make thescene more relaxing, songbirds are usually at this park during the early springtime. If you’re lucky, you may be even to spot the Great Horned Owl that nest in the trees.
3. Chestnut Branch Park, Mantua
This bigger park is 109 acres with a different kind of scene that is rare in most parks. Chestnut Branch Park ranges from wooded areas to wetlands. This is significant because it attracts a different species of woodland creatures and birds.These animals can be easily spotted hanging out on poplar and oak trees. If you go there, make sure to head down the dirt path to see the peaceful Chestnut Branch River.
4. Scotland Run Park, Clayton
This is the largest park in this list at 1000 acres with the most variety of animals from woodland to lakeside creatures. There are multiple different styles of maintained trails for running, biking or just strolling and taking in the different sights, smells and sounds. At the park there has even been sightings of the majestic Bald Eagle fly around the lake. Keep a look-out!
5. Washington Lake Park, Sewell
Washington Lake Park is one of my personal favorites because of the koi pond and the diverse birds that are attracted by this like the herons and ducks. All the walking trails are natural and as you can venture from the beginning to the end of the trail, the scenery changes. You can expirerenc different ecosystems and various bird species such as songbirds, wrens, sparrows and red-tailed hawks. My favorite lake at this park is called Washington Lake, which is the largest out of the many others. Below is a picture of it in the autumn, my favorite time of year!
Washington Lake- Photo by Claudia Griffo
For more information including hours of operation, location and other activities offered just click the name of the park.
Thanks for reading. Stay positive!
Perpetually Positive 
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