BY JESSALYN KIRCHHOFF
Play Yard Games with Your Friends and Family
Traditionally, yard games have proven to be a timeless pastime for people of all ages. Grab a few friends and/or family members and play some games! A few especially popular yard games this year are horseshoe, cornhole, ladder toss, bocce ball, lawn darts, and spike ball. Don’t have one of these sets? No problem! Grab a volleyball, soccer ball, football, or even a frisbee and create your own game. Hays has 14 public parks with multiple accommodations available, the opportunities are endless. Make sure to check out https://www.haysusa.com/ to find out more about each of these parks.
Go On A Walk
As many people found out in the past year during COVID lockdowns, going for a walk is not only something that is beneficial to your health, it can also be a fun and socially distanced way to engage in social activity. Whether you take your dog, gather a group of friends, or just take a stroll for yourself, going on a walk can be a great way to get out of the house to enjoy this great weather. A few of the more popular walking trails in Hays include the Dike, Big Creek Nature Trail, and the Vineyard Park Nature Trail.
Shop/Eat Local
Supporting local restaurants and shops is always a pleasure, but when the weather is nice, this specific activity could not be better. Looking for the perfect gift for an upcoming birthday or holiday can prove challenging, but when shopping in downtown Hays, it will be a breeze. Shops such as Be Made and Simply Charmed offer a variety of gifts for all occasions. If you find yourself downtown with a growling stomach, make sure to stop by two of Hays’ most popular eateries, Tiger Burger and the Golden Q for a quick bite to eat.
Another easy way to support downtown Hays would be to take part in the 2021 Spring Art Walk that is scheduled to take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday. The Walk will showcase many young artists and their projects. More information on the Art Walk can be found here.
Yard/ House Maintenance
Hard work is good for the heart and soul, but it is also good for the community. Why not make the best of the agreeable temperatures and roll up your sleeves for some good old-fashioned yard work around your own home?
Feeling adventurous and in a giving mood? Ask your neighbors if they need any help cleaning up around their house as well. A couple of easy outdoor “Spring Cleaning” tasks are weeding around your sidewalks or in your flowerbeds, cleaning out those stubborn gutters, and wiping down the exterior of your windows for a clearer view. Let’s make the Hays’ environment a better place together.
Check Out The Hays Recreation Commission For Upcoming Events
For years the Hays Recreation Commission has hosted dozens of activities, created leisure programs for people of all ages, developed a multitude of different wellness projects, and produced countless sporting events. Currently, the Hays Rec. is getting ready to host the first-ever annual Brain Freeze Fun Run on Saturday with registration opening at 8:15 and the race starting at 9:00.
Muffins with Mom will take place from 10-11:00 a.m. Saturday, May 8 and Dog and Jog will be from 9-10:00 a.m. Saturday, May 22.. For a complete list of future events and registration deadlines, make sure to visit the official Hays Recreation Commission website.
Attend Local FHSU Athletic Events
Spring athletics are in full swing here at the Fort Hays State University Campus and what better way to enjoy these events than by attending them. In the next few weeks, community members can expect to see a home track meet for both the Men’s and Women’s track teams this Friday starting at noon and three home men’s baseball games versus the Newman Jets Friday, May 7, starting at 6:00 P.M. and Saturday, May 8 at 1:00 & 4:00 p.m.. For a full schedule of athletic events be sure to check out the FHSU Athletics Official Athletics website.
Take the Bird Scooters For A Drive
The newly landed Bird Scooters are a fresh addition to the list of outdoor activities in Hays. The scooters were first introduced to Hays on Friday, April 2nd and have been a huge hit ever since. In order to take these smooth scooters for a ride, customers will first need to download the Bird App and create an account.
After finding a scooter near you and reserving it, you can jump on. To start the scooter up it will be a minimal charge of $1.00 and then an even smaller charge of $0.39 for every riding minute. These scooters have successfully increased transportation options, decreased traffic flow, and given Hays citizens another activity to partake in on a nightly basis.
Grab a Snoball
As most Hays’ natives will tell you, there is nothing better than a Cerv’s Snoball. Temperatures are starting to rise and the demand for Snoballs is increasing with the warmer weather coming in. With two different locations and twelve different flavors of Snoballs (not including mixed combinations), Cerv’s definitely has captured the ultimate activity for the Summer.
