WHEATON, Md.— In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, Montgomery Parks invites community members of all ages to participate in a special story walk as part of its “With Parks in Mind” program. The free, self-guided story walk is centered around the book Breathe Like a Bear and is available throughout May at Meadowside Nature Center in Rockville and Caroline Freeland Urban Park in Bethesda.
The story walks feature pages from the children’s book displayed along scenic park trails. Each page includes simple mindfulness exercises such as deep breathing, gentle movements, and imaginative prompts, encouraging visitors to pause, breathe, and connect with nature. The content is accessible in both English and Spanish.
“With Parks in Mind” is part of Montgomery Parks’ broader initiative to promote mental well-being through nature-based experiences. Integrating mindfulness practices into outdoor settings aims to provide accessible tools for stress reduction and emotional balance.
For more information about the “With Parks in Mind: Breathe Like a Bear Story Walk,” visit the official event page.
Breathe Like a Bear will be read at story time at the Connie Morella Library in Bethesda on Saturday, May 31st from 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
About Montgomery Parks
Montgomery Parks manages more than 37,000 acres of parkland, consisting of 415 parks. Montgomery Parks is focused on promoting physical activity, social connectivity, and environmental stewardship, especially in diverse and urbanizing areas, with an emphasis on teens, working-age adults, and seniors. Montgomery Parks is a department of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC), a bi-county agency established in 1927 to steward public land. M-NCPPC has been nationally recognized for its high-quality parks and recreation services and is regarded as a national model by other parks systems. MontgomeryParks.org
Accessibility
Montgomery Parks, part of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, encourages and supports the participation of individuals with disabilities. Please contact the Program Access Office at 301-495-2581 (Voice/TTY), MD Relay 7-1-1 or 800-552-7724 or ProgramAccess@MontgomeryParks.org to request a disability modification. Visit Montgomery Parks Accessibility for more information.