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New Campaign Helping To Attract Baltimoreans To The Outdoors

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- For 100 years, the National Park Service has been taking care of the country's outdoor spaces. To celebrate the centennial, Baltimore's parks, historic sites and trails are taking part in a new campaign.

WJZ's Amy Yensi has more on the initiative, and the goals it plans to achieve.

With thousands of acres of parkland within Baltimore City, the outdoor possibilities seem endless and even overwhelming. That's why to mark the National Park Service centennial, the city's park organizations are teaming up to help attract visitors to the outdoors.

"It exposes a lot of people to the parks that they did not know were there, to the trails they did not know were there," said Greg Hinchlifee, Tour Dem Parks.

Visit Baltimore's "Find Your Park" campaign lists all of the outdoor spaces, free programs and events happening across the city.

"A menu of things will pop up, and you get to decide what you want to do," said Jeffrey Buchheit, executive director, Baltimore National Heritage Area.

With over 200 parks, byways and trails, there's plenty to do this summer season.

"It's a way to explore stewardship in terms of nature and the environment, and people just need to get outside more because, really, it helps the soul," said Buchheit.

The goal of the campaign is to attract visitors and show Baltimore residents there are plenty of outdoor activities right in their own city.

Molly Gallant runs the city's outdoor programs and says far too many people don't know of the possibilities in their own backyard.

"We have three major trails -- Gwynns Falls, Jones Falls and the Herring Run -- and it's an immense amount of space that people aren't utilizing," said Gallant.

If you need help finding you park, CLICK HERE.

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