By: Andrew Silverstein

Did you know July is National Parks and Recreation Month?  All throughout July the city of Tampa is encouraging people to get off the couch and out into one of their multiple parks throughout the city for a series of events and activities in celebration of this special month.

A few of the events include....

Tampa Parks and Recreation's Birthday Celebration - Head down to the Copeland Community Center in Copeland Park on July 1st from 2 to 4 p.m. and celebrate Tampa parks with a family-friendly party followed by a mini step show.

Rock Your Park Flash Mob - Surely you've seen flash mobs all over Youtube and the like in the past few years.  Basically, a select group of people show up in a public space at a set time and break out into coordinated dance while everyone who isn't in on it watches with befuddlement.   The City of Tampa is sponsoring one at Curtis Hixon Park on July 7th at 6:30.  Get there at 5:30 if you want to dance and watch this video to learn the moves beforehand.

Free Salsa Dance Lessons - Get your salsa on with all your Tampa neighbors on July 18 at the Kate Jackson Community Center in Anderson Park.  Lesson begins at 6:30.

Create Your Own Chihuly Shoes or Bag - Head out to the North Hubert Art Studio from 10 a.m. till noon on July 23rd and splatter your own shoes or bags with vibrant shades of acrylic paint.

Fancy yourself a golfer?  The Tampa Sports Authority is offering 10 dollars off regular rates from July 11th to the 14th at the following city golf courses...

Babe Zaharias Golf Course, 11412 Forest Hills Drive, (813) 631-4374
Rocky Point Golf Course, 4151 Dana Shores Drive, (813)673-4316
Rogers Park Golf Course, 7911 N. 30th Street, (813)356-1670

For a full schedule of National Parks and Recreation Month events throughout July, visit the City of Tampa website here.