Free National Park Service Festival Encourages Outdoor Recreation

Outdoor enthusiasts are invited to attend the National Park Service's inaugural Recreation Festival on Saturday, October 25 from 10:00 a.m until 4:00 p.m. Also known as Rec Fest, this free, family-friendly event will take place at Paramount Ranch in Agoura and will feature several hands-on opportunities to introduce families to the outdoors.

"Everyone who enjoys the outdoors learned about it from an informal guide, whether it was a friend, family member or co-worker," said David Szymanski, superintendent of Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. "It usually started with one adventure. We want to give the next generation and their families the chance to try something new, in a safe place, with all the equipment they need."

Equipment will be on hand so that attendees can try their hand at rock climbing, mountain biking, horseback riding, fishing and nature sketching. Children and their families can even participate in a one-mile fun run. To register for the fun run, please visit http://www.nps.gov/samo/recfest2014.htm. For more information, call 805-370-2301.

Visitors are encouraged to bring water, sunscreen, and a hat. Food vendors will be available on site.

The event is co-sponsored by the Santa Monica Mountains Fund and is made possible by a generous grant from the National Park Foundation's Active Trails program.