Waterslides are ready, wooded trails are lush and local parks are beckoning you to head outdoors and bask in the sunshine.

In Cape Girardeau, the main source of outdoor fun is the Parks and Recreation Department.  And since July is National Park and Recreation Month, it’s the perfect time to honor all their hard work – and tell you about what they’ve got on the schedule this month.

In the sweltering Missouri heat, we’re thankful for Cape Splash – an outdoor water park with seven slides, some measuring more than 250 feet. Soak up rays in the sun deck or beat the heat at the leisure pool.

This month, Parks and Rec is hosting an Adult Beach Bash (sorry kids, not tonight!) on Thursday, July 18 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. It’s a perfect summer party, with live music, food, drinks, pool volleyball and more. Check it out. And don’t worry; kids are welcome the next day.

If swimming’s not your thing or you’ve already spent time at Cape Splash this year, head to a beautiful local park. Cape has 23 of them, and they’re all nice. In addition to swings, slides and pavilions, parks throughout Cape have ponds, hiking trails, half-pipes, roses, even an area designed for dogs. Find your perfect park.

Throughout July, the Parks and Rec Department is turning Capaha Park into a theater, showing classic sports movies every Friday night at 9 p.m. See what’s playing.

Finally, summer offers the perfect time to commune with nature. Taking a simple walk is proven to improve your mood, relieve stress and make you more creative, according to Reader’s Digest. Cape Girardeau boasts miles of trails. The difficulty level varies from rough, wooded terrain to paved, winding paths through town. Whether you’re looking for a challenge or just strolling, there’s a trail for you. Explore them here.

If you’re up to the test, Parks and Rec is hosting the Capaha Classic 5K on Saturday, July 13 at Capaha Park. It’s Cape’s longest running 5K, with 2019 marking its 32^nd year. Children are invited to run a shorter course – one mile. Check-in begins at 6:45 a.m., and runners take off at 8. Get the details here.

Enjoy the sunshine in Cape’s great outdoors. Discover what’s waiting.