This week I feel the need to take a break from explaining things to do that require the spending of money. After all, most of us probably are too busy paying bills to be able to go out every weekend and spend money like there is no tomorrow.

So what is free you say?

The weather is starting to change, and we have to enjoy it while it stays bearable.

There are numerous parks in and around the DeKalb area; parks that have different things to do in each one.

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For those of you who still are kids at heart, there are playgrounds so you can go back to a time when you didn’t have a care in the world.

If you’re the athletic type, there are baseball fields and open fields (for soccer or football) just waiting for your use.

If anyone has a kite, may I suggest you go fly it? DeKalb is an excellent place for kite flying with all the wind that blows through here. Hopkins Park on Sycamore Road is a great place to go for all of the above options.

There also are many bike paths and nature trails all over DeKalb that can be used for numerous activities. For example, you could go rollerblading, biking, running or walking. Now is a great time of year for this, it’s not too hot or too cold, the leaves start to change color and the air has that certain fresh, crisp smell to it.

There are paths that run along the Kishwaukee River from West Lincoln Highway (east of the lagoon) to North First Street. It then picks up again on East Hillcrest into Hopkins Park and continues down Greenwood Acres to Peace Road. There also are paths South of Lincoln Highway in Lyons, Kensington, Prairie and Huber parks.

Finally, a nice little area to spend an afternoon is right on campus, beside the under-construction East Lagoon. Right behind Davis Hall is a little square surrounded by bushes with about five fountains and a bunch of benches and picnic tables. Stretching out from behind the square is a wide lawn with trees, flowers and a sculpture by Alexander Calder.

So take some time while the weather’s nice and head for the outdoors.Jenny gembala photo

It’s enjoyable to sit by the fountains behind Davis Hall on a nice fall day.