ROCKY HILL - Motown legend Barrett Strong sang that �"the best things in life are free” in the classic tune �"Money (That’s What I Want),” later made famous by The Beatles’ cover four years after the original 1959 version.

       Strong’s lyrics rang true back then and still hold up some 66 years later.

       Money can buy you a lot of things, but it’s not necessary when staying fit. There’s no need to throw bags of money at overpriced fitness centers or invest your life savings into CrossFit, which is essentially an intense workout regimen while wearing an â€�"I Heart Burpees” shirt.

       Indoor workouts can be great, but are often expensive. During the summer there are boundless free exercises that can be done by just stepping outside. The concept is simple: Just this about how early men and women stayed fit. Cavemen and cavewomen didn’t have kettlebells or Smith machines, but were still able to maintain their Neaderthalian figures.

       Location was key to survival for our ancient ancestors and is also important when searching for free activities. The best place to start outdoor adventures is at the local parks. These fitness forums are ideal for a variety of fitness, offering some of the best facilities and scenery that our towns have to offer.

       Mill Pond Park, located at 123 Garfield St. in Newington, is the most open of all the community parks, giving fitness fanatics plenty of space to roam.

       Tennis buffs are drawn to this park because of the eight full-size courts. The courts have two different surfaces, allowing professional dreamers the opportunity to practice for the US and French Opens. The courts’ surfaces are well maintained and the lines are painted often. The courts also back up to the woods, giving shade from the blistering summer sun.

       The colossal size of the park also makes this a great location for sports that require more space. Frisbee and Aerobie, the amazing flying disc game that is sweeping the nation, are just a few of the games that park-goers have been seen playing in the massive open landscape.

       The park is very scenic and has a dirt track that surrounds a pond located in the center. The pond is full of ducks, geese and various fish. Fishing may not be a weight-loss workout, but it’s a great way to spend the afternoon during the summer months. The border of the pond has plenty of space for coolers and chairs as you wait for the big one to take the bait. Catch and release is recommended, but not required.

       The downtown park also has an extensive swimming facility. The fenced-in aquatic area has plenty of pool space for people of all ages, including an area for toddlers. Lanes are available to serious swimmers. Volleyball and basketball nets are available for water games.

       Pools can be a fun time, but if you’re looking for a beach experience, there is no need to look further than Mill Woods Park on Prospect Street in Wethersfield. The park’s redesigned swim area looks and feels like a beach, but comes with the cleanliness of a pool and without the headache of beach traffic. This beach oasis also has separate areas for experienced swimmers and for those still wearing arm floaties. This beach-pool has it all, whether you’re Michael Phelps or David Hasselhoff.

       The swimming sanctuary is the highlight of Wethersfield’s largest park, but the facility is the crème de le crème for the athlete in us all. The park also houses the community’s best skate park, offering a large concrete bowl for jumps and tricks. Tony Hawk-inspired skateboarders fill this section of the park, but there is also a section for those that aren’t ready to take off the training wheels.

       Mill Woods is also the place to be if you’re a baller or shot caller. The basketball court is well-shaded and is equipped with surprisingly shooter-friendly rims, despite being designed for the outdoors. The well-marked court lights up at night and is used for full-court pick-up games, but is also great for getting in a few quick jump shots under the setting sun.

       The basketball court is located next to baseball and softball fields, but Elm Ridge Park off of Elm Street in Rocky Hill offers the best regulation diamonds in the area. The park has two full-sized fields, surrounded by plenty of stands for spectators. Each field is equipped with their own battling cages for extra hitting work. The spectacular lighting in the park also allows for night use and several evening activities, such as concerts and movies.

       Cromwell has several parks and is home to historic River Highland State Park. The park, located off of Field Road, offers the best hiking in the area and is free, despite being an official state park. There are miles of trails for nature-lovers, ranging from easy to moderate in difficulty. There are a few outlooks located throughout the edge of the park backs up to the TPC River Highlands, allowing great views of the state’s most famous golf course.

       Cromwell is also home to the area’s best playscape. Pierson Park on West Street is a quiet little park located in the heart of Cromwell and is perfect spot for the little ones to work off the extra energy. A pavilion and picnic tables, great for picnic lunches and a break from the hot summer sun, surround the playscape.

       Wickham Park in Manchester and Page Park in Bristol are great areas that are out of the immediate vicinity. Both locations offer a wide variety of activities, including disc golf, which is a hybrid Frisbee/golf game that is both challenging and fun.

       All of these parks are close by and await your arrival. So leave the wallet at home and take a ride to one of the nearby parks. You’ll not be disappointed and may even discover a new outdoor activity that is fun and free. In today’s world there is a lot that will cost you money, but some of the best things in life are still free.