Five Activities to Enjoy in Cranberry This Spring

Celebrating the arrival of spring with your family and friends can be really fun and refreshing after a long winter. Now that the weather is finally improving, it's time to break free from cabin fever, get some fresh air and enjoy fun outdoor activities.

Here are five fun ideas to try in Cranberry:

1)    Take to the trails. Explore a trail near you at a local park, including the North Boundary Park or Cranberry Township Community Park, or plan a day trip and a longer hike at the Moraine State Park also offers guided hikes for individuals and families.

2)    Zip to the zoo or your local wildlife or bird sanctuary. Beat the summer crowds and enjoy a visit to the Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium, Living Treasures or the National Aviary. You may find the animals are outside and more active as they emerge to enjoy the warmer weather too. You'll enjoy the visit even more if you bring some binoculars, which you can purchase at Dick's Sporting Goods. 

3)    Hit the water. You can rent a kayak or canoe with Venture Outdoors. Spring is also a great time to take a class to learn how to row, canoe or kayak. And don't forget the first day of trout season is Saturday, April 13.

4)    Volunteer. Serve the Cranberry area together by sprucing up your favorite place to play outdoors. Check out VolunteerMatch.org for opportunities to volunteer with friends or family to clean up a nearby park or playground.

5)    Start a garden. Now is the time to get your garden beds ready for planting by putting down compost. New to gardening? Take a class or join a gardening club to learn how to build your garden beds and which flowers and veggies will do well in this climate. Get tips and advice from Organic Gardeners Jessica Walliser and Doug Oster at 5 p.m. Sunday, March 24 at the Giant Eagle Market District in Pine. Kids can help start the garden too by planting seeds indoors in empty egg cartons that can be transferred outside into your garden beds in just a few weeks.

TELL US: How will you celebrate the arrival of spring here in town? Share your ideas for getting outside and enjoying the warmer weather in the comments section below.