Municipal parks staff want families to be active and play together this B.C. Day long weekend.

So, they're inviting local families to participate in a free Family Day in the Park.

For the second year running, staff at Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows parks and leisure services have been offering a weekly party in the park during July and August.

A section of Memorial Peace Park, on 224th Street in downtown Maple Ridge, is cordoned off for games and family-oriented activities every Sunday from noon to 3 p.m.

It's called Family Day in the Park, and if reaction to the first few events of the year was any indication, it's going to be a great season, said staffer Emily Knauff.

Set up just in front of The ACT, the weekly festival features games and activities such as giant checkers, Connect 4, chess, table tennis, badminton, beach-ball soccer, and face-painting.

While the activities are aimed at children, family members of all ages are encouraged to participate and interact with their kids.

The event runs rain or shine from noon to 3 p.m., and each week organizers introduce different themes.

For instance, this holiday weekend, on Aug. 5, the theme is in-line skating.

An instructor will be on hand from 1 to 2 p.m. putting the brakes on fun. Okay, not literally. Staff will be teaching stops and turns to both roller and in-line skaters. Participants should bring their own skates.

There's more such activities continuing through the month at the Family Day in the Park:

. Aug. 12: Family scavenger hunt - It starts with a fun rhyming clue and families are then invited on a walking tour of town from 1 to 2 p.m.

. Aug. 19: Family fitness - Enjoy fun obstacle courses, relays, and even learn new moves with a personal trainer.

. Aug. 26: Zumba party - End the summer with a shimmy shake and musical crafts for kids to make.

For more information, people can call the Maple Ridge leisure centre at 604-467-7322.

rhooper@mrtimes.com