{{tncms-inline content=”<p><span>"Taking advantage of the warm spring sunshine is never a bad idea. Getting in a workout outdoors will improve your mood and keep your moving throughout the season."</span></p>” id=”536692b1-4a31-4731-9c34-17c4b14e57e8″ style-type=”quote” title=”Kendra Pull Quote” type=”relcontent”}}

With the first day of spring fast approaching, opportunities to get outside and get moving arise. There are plenty of low-cost, or even free, resources that allow you to get involved in activities with your friends.

Going on a bike ride is a good way to get in a sweat while taking in the scenery. You can bike around Topeka on sidewalks or opt for a more natural view by using a trail. Shunga Trail is a paved path that follows Shunga Creek through several parks and wooded areas, according to kansascyclist.com. It runs 13 miles and intersects with several different trails along the way.

Hiking is another way to take in your surrounding while getting in a workout. Walking up to Burnett’s Mound in Skyline Park is a popular attraction in Topeka. It gives a panoramic view of the entire city. For a more challenging adventure, Dornwood Park offers rocky trails with more changes in elevation. They are surrounded by trees and can be explored with bikes or on foot.

Soccer can really be played anywhere. It all depends on how you’re playing it. Washburn’s campus has several open practice fields that you can use to kick a ball around when no one is using them. Some have soccer goals, but it can be just as much fun to simply kick the ball around with a few friends.

Baseball can be played for fun in the same way. The space on campus can be used to play catch with a ball. Crestview and Dornwood Park have open ball diamonds where you can hit some balls with friends.

Tennis is another sport that’s fun for all skill levels. You can buy cheap racquets and balls at Walmart and find free courts all around Topeka. The ones here at Washburn are newly resurfaced and can be used when the teams are not practicing. Their practices run from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. every day. Crestview Park also has tennis courts that can be used for some fun games with friends.

Disc golf offers unique entertainment with a low-cost. You can buy a pack of three, simple discs for around $10-15 at Walmart. Crestview Park has an older course that is rather flat and open, according to dgcoursereviews.com. This makes it a great starting place for beginners. Rice Park offers a slightly more challenging terrain with a few hills that will keep things interesting for more experienced players.

Taking advantage of the warm spring sunshine is never a bad idea. Getting in a workout outdoors will improve your mood and keep your moving throughout the season.