July is Park and Recreation Month, an annual tradition celebrated by the town of Scarborough. This year’s theme, “Build Together, Play Together,” is a celebration of the people and places that help make our community stronger, healthier, and more connected.

Thanks to the generous support of Martin’s Point Health Care, we’re excited to offer free events all month long to help our community come together, get active, and have fun. See the full calendar of free events on the Community Services Department section of our website, or pinned on the town of Scarborough Facebook page.

Yoga in the Park with Scarborough Yoga | Free
Tuesday, July 15 and July 29, 6 to 7 p.m.
Memorial Park, 5 Durant Drive, Scarborough

Join Scarborough yoga teachers in Memorial Park and experience the benefits of yoga surrounded by the beauty of nature. These all-level classes offer a chance to balance your mind and body through breath work and movement, helping you release stress and flow with the rhythm of your own life. Get curious as you explore positions, range of motion, and balance, while tuning out the hustle and bustle of daily life to spend an hour tuning in to yourself. All bodies and experience levels are welcome.

Recommended items: yoga mat or blanket, water, sunscreen, and sunglasses or a hat.

Chair Yoga | Free
Wednesdays in July, 9 to 10 a.m.
SCS Hub, 418 Payne Road, Scarborough

Join Anne Esguerra, an IAYT certified yoga therapist, for these free in-person chair yoga. She offers a practice that leans into the curiosity of self study filled with avenues of accessibility, permission and exploration. We’ll move, breathe and notice. What you choose to do with that is up to you.

Zumba with Dani | Free
Tuesday, July 8 and July 22, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Memorial Park, 5 Durant Drive, Scarborough

Zumba combines fast and slow rhythms that tone and sculpt the body using principles from aerobic and fitness to achieve cardio and muscle-toning benefits. Not great at dance or can’t move quickly? No problem. All ages and abilities are welcome, as every move can be modified to fit your needs. Instructor Dani can’t wait to share her passion for this fun fitness program with everyone.

Maine Backyard Campout
Join Scarborough Community Services the weekend of July 11-13 for the Maine Backyard Campout. Each year the Maine Recreation and Park Association encourages families to spend the second weekend of July camping right here in their own backyard. No yard? No problem. Pitch a tent or build a fort in your living room to join the fun.

Be one of the first 25 families to register and you’ll receive a packet of fun activities to make your weekend unforgettable and a free s’mores kit to bring the campfire magic right to you. Register by July 9 (register at scarboroughmaine.org and search “Park and Recreation Month”).

Kids Jamboree | Free
Monday, July 14, 5 to 6:30 p.m.
Memorial Park, 5 Durant Drive, Scarborough

Get ready for a fun-filled evening at the Kids Jamboree. Enjoy games and activities, stop by the Hannaford Snack Pals pop-up for tasty snacks, and grab a sweet treat from the ice cream truck. We’ll have face painting, temporary tattoos, and more surprises waiting for you. Don’t miss this celebration made just for kids.

Wacky Water Day | Free
Thursday, July 24, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Memorial Park, 5 Durant Drive, Scarborough

Slip into your swimsuits, grab your towels, and enjoy splash-filled fun at the park. We’ll have sprinklers, splash zones, water blasters, bubbles, and more to help you stay cool. Sunscreen, bug spray, snacks, and drinks will be provided. Just bring your family and enjoy some refreshing summer fun.

Summer Photo Contest

Outdoors is the place to be this summer in Scarborough — its parks, nature preserves, and beaches
provide the perfect setting for the season. Snap photos while you’re out enjoying scenery or time with
family, and share with us for a chance to win.

Submit up to three photos with a title and caption (optional). They must be taken in Scarborough and outdoors to qualify. Photos will be uploaded to Facebook on a rolling basis. The photo with the most ‘likes’ in each category will win a gift card from a local Scarborough business.

Thanks to Dairy Corner, El Rayo, Cafe Luna, and Dunstan Tap & Table for the great prizes. Enter at scarboroughmaine.org from the post on the homepage.

Allison Carrier is marketing and communications manager for Scarborough. She can be reached at acarrier@scarboroughmaine.org.