San Diego County Parks and Recreation is encouraging residents to forgo the Black Friday shopping frenzy and instead participate in "Green Friday." This annual event, which originated in 2017, falls on the day after Thanksgiving. It promotes spending quality time in nature with family and friends.
Slated for November 24 this year, Green Friday also involves lifting parking charges at several county parks. This allows visitors to freely traverse over 380 miles of trails. Green Friday offers a variety of activities for all age groups and interests. These events include ranger-led bike rides, stargazing parties, workshops, and volunteer work, as per the County News Center.
Head outdoors this Friday for “Green Friday”. @sandiegoparks is again hosting the annual holiday to encourage more quality time together outside on the day after Thanksgiving. https://t.co/jDX5n1jUJb
— SanDiegoCounty (@SanDiegoCounty) November 20, 2023
The concept of endorsing green and nature-based activities emerged in the early 2010s with initiatives such as Time Well Spent and 30x30 Nature Challenges. The foundations for such campaigns lie in research that highlights the advantages of outdoor time, such as lowered stress levels, improved physical health, creativity, and overall well-being.
Green Friday offers a diverse range of volunteering opportunities for those looking to spend time examining nature while also giving back to the community. As per the County News Center's Green Friday page, tree planting initiatives at local parks are in progress, presenting over a dozen opportunities over the weekend. Participation not only benefits the environment but also fosters a sense of unity and camaraderie.
