Parks & Recreation

A crisp breeze strokes across your face while you feel the warmth of the sun soaking into your skin. You inhale nature's fresh air as you pass along trees, bushes, and wildflowers all while you listen to the sound of the outdoors and unwind from all the craziness in your everyday life.
That is tranquility, and that is found right here in Gallatin.

Here are my top 5 reasons to be active outdoors in Gallatin:

• Let's be honest, gyms can be rough. We've all been there. Checking the clock on the wall during a group class, wiping down the appliances from the sweaty person before you, constantly glancing at the machine only to see a whopping 0:35 seconds have passed by.
• Why not feel the distance you are going instead of tracking it by looking at the blinking numbers? Acknowledge the scenery passing you; before you know it, you've surpassed the distance and amount of time you were aiming for.
• Get the bang for your buck...or burn for your work out. Outdoor exercising helps you be more physically active. We can thank factors like having to push through wind resistance, and continuous elevation changes. Outdoor exercising is also known to increase energy levels more than indoor exercising.
• Unwind your mind! Yes, exercising in general helps you mentally by destressing and releasing endorphins. But, there have been psychological tests done that stated those who exercised outdoors also resulted in higher enthusiasm and self-esteem, while decreasing tension, depression and fatigue.
• It is genuinely plain fun. Utilize this time to catch up with friends. Train for that 5k you've always told yourself you would do. Or train to beat your time from your last race. Explore the Greenway that Gallatin has and create your own hidden trails. Stop to do some yoga poses before you continue on your way. Take that picture of the sunset across the horizon.
• IT'S free! Year round membership at no cost. How can you top that?!

Be it running, walking, cycling, skating, whatever is your liking, we are fortunate to have several outdoor trails in Gallatin to experience. So go out and explore!

For the past 16 years the Gallatin Civic Center has put hundreds of kids through the Summer Swim Team program. 2016 will be the 17th consecutive year the team has competed and some of the kids, like now head manager Allison Durham have been on the team for years. Allison says watching the kids learn will be her favorite part this year. The Gallatin Swim Team has many benefits including:

• Life skills: Each child learns proper mechanics, proper breathing techniques and competes in competitive length pools – all the while they’re learning how to save their own life!
• Friendship: Kids create a bonds with one another. You cheer your friends on as they race. Your friends cheer you on as you race. This self-esteem booster is a great way for them to make new friends and strengthen relationships with existing ones.
• Teamwork: Although swimming itself is usually an individual sport, swim teams create a team environment for kids to belong. They receive early life lessons on how to win (and lose) as a team, how to give it their best and how to exhibit good sportsmanship.
• Fitness: Weekly swim team practices will improve their cardiovascular fitness and helps keep them healthy. Swimming is an excellent workout since it works your whole body and is easy on the joints. Unlike some sports, swimming is a fitness routine your child can do well into adulthood.
• Community: Oftentimes, parents are just as involved in swim team as the kids. During meets, there is a lot of down time for both the kids and the parents to get to know each other!

The cost is $155 for 1 swimmer, $240 for 2 swimmers and $330 for 3 swimmers.
For more information about the Gallatin Swim Team you can contact our Aquatics Director, Robby Riley at 615-451-5911 or check out the packet (PDF).

For the past 6 years Dennis Lindey had one goal - to swim the length of the United States, a mere 2,060 miles. His motive? He was 53 years old, walking with a cane and 85 pounds overweight. He was scared of getting diabetes. For 20 plus years he was involved in kickboxing, he rock climbed all over the world, he wrecked his motorcycle, yet he was terrified of getting diabetes. He said “diabetes kills you slow, with rock climbing if you fall it’s instant.” So he started slow in the pool, having to lay his cane by the ladder to use while he walked to and from the pool.  He continued this trend the next 6 years swimming 5 days a week, 2 miles a day!

If you know Dennis, or have seen him in our Civic Center you are aware of his hair. See it in the picture? I’ve never asked him, but while I spoke to him I wanted to know why he colored his hair. He told me “Ecclesiastes 5:18-20. 18 This is what I have observed to be good: that it is appropriate for a person to eat, to drink and to find satisfaction in their toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given them - for this is their lot. 19 Moreover, when God gives someone wealth and possessions, and the ability to enjoy them, to accept their lot and be happy in their toil - his is a gift of God. 20 They seldom reflect on the days of their life, because God keeps them occupied with gladness of heart.”

Dennis loves to help people. He loves to encourage everyone, and loves to tell his journey. When I asked him what the greatest benefit was he said “I went from 53 years old, 85 pounds overweight and walking with a cane, to abs! I have abs! I had a guy 20 years younger than I am tell me how good I look. I’m almost 60!” We are so proud of Dennis and his accomplishments! If you see him around make sure to congratulate him for swimming across the United States!