Are you a teen with too much free time? Easy tips for fun Summertime activities

#TeenEssay

School is out for the summer, which means many students are suddenly finding themselves with a lot more free time. If you’re searching for productive and fun ways to fill that time, or just want to enjoy the summer weather, there are many activities in the area that will appeal to a wide variety of interests.

Now that we’ve left the rainy spring behind and moved into warm and sunny weather, outdoor activities may sound like fun. The Lowami Hart Woods and the Hyland Forest Park are great if you’re looking for quiet, shady trails to walk or run along. Greenway Park in Beaverton and Summerlake Park in Tigard both offer paved trails that, although they mostly aren’t shaded, don’t have any steep hills and are excellent for walking, running, or biking.

For more of a challenge, the Westside Regional Trail, which extends from Progress Ridge to Blanton Street and passes through several parks, is filled with steep hills. Other outdoor activities include exploring the Beaverton Farmers’ Market, which is open on Saturday mornings across the street from the Beaverton City Library, and the various playgrounds and open spaces in the small city parks that are scattered throughout neighborhoods. Hiteon Park, Summerlake Park, and the playgrounds found in Greenway Park are all excellent.

There are indoor athletic activities as well, and many of these take place at rec centers such as the Conestoga or Terpenning Rec Centers, both run by THPRD. These locations have indoor exercise facilities and offer a variety of options for indoor exercise and sports. They also offer various classes for different age groups. The main and Murray Scholls libraries also have a variety of events for all age groups; the schedule can be found on flyers at the libraries as well as on their websites. Additionally, the library has a Summer Reading Program for both kids and adults, which you can get a reading log for at either branch or online.

If you’re looking to use your spare time to help out in the community, THPRD and the library often have great volunteer opportunities. Participating in these is a great way to be involved in the community and help others. More information can be found on the websites of each of these organizations (thprd.org and beavertonlibrary.org).

Whether you’re new to the area or a longtime Beaverton resident looking to try something new, I hope this information helps you find an enjoyable and productive way to spend some of your free time this summer.

Anna Janowski is a teen (grade 12) volunteer at the Beaverton City Library. Outside of school, she likes to read, write, play softball and the trumpet.