Perhaps you already have an interest in taking up a particular recreational activity such as water skiing, mountain biking, or scrap-booking. Many of these activities have local community groups and private clubs centered on bringing together people with similar interests. The easiest place to start your search is in the Yellow Pages under your topic of interest like kayaking, running, or skiing.

Two other places to make inquiries are your local park and recreation department and local sporting goods store. Many local park and recreation departments have working relationships with special-interest groups, especially if the group uses a facility of the parks department. Your local park and recreation department can provide the contact information for groups such as the local figure skaters' club and men's garden club. If your area of interest uses sports equipment, networking with the local sporting goods stores is also a good start. Sporting goods store staff working in the bike department may be able to tell you where some of the best bike trails are in the surrounding community, while other staff in the running apparel department can tell you about the local running clubs, fun runs, and upcoming mini-marathons.