News Release 11-071
Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission
1111 Israel Road S.W., P.O. Box 42650, Olympia, WA 98504-2650, (360) 902-8500
Don Hoch, Director
Media contact:
Sandy Mealing, (360) 902-8559
Sandy.Mealing@parks.wa.gov
Rebecca Ellison, (360) 902-8661
Rebecca.Ellison@parks.wa.gov
Wash. Telecommunications Relay Service:
(800) 833-6388
Celebrate New Year’s Day with First Day Hikes at state parks
OLYMPIA –
Dec. 6, 2011 –
The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission invites the public to attend a First Day Hike at a Washington state park on Jan. 1.
Three Washington state parks will be open for guided tours on the New Year’s Day holiday, Jan. 1, as part of the America’s State Parks First Day Hikes initiative. The hikes offer individuals and families an opportunity to celebrate New Year’s Day by connecting with the outdoors while supporting healthy lifestyle habits in the natural settings of Washington.
Hikes offered include the following locations:
• Deception Pass State Park, Oak Harbor: The mile-and-a-half hike begins at 11 a.m. at the Bowman Bay parking area. Trail is moderate, and children must be 5 years or older to participate
• Fields Spring State Park, Anatone: The two-mile snowshoe walk begins at 1 p.m. at the Snowflake Shelter. Trail is moderate, and children must be 8 years or older to participate. Snowshoes are available at the park for the event and must be reserved in advance. Reserve snowshoes by calling the park at (509) 256-3332. It is suggested participants take along day packs with food and water, warm jackets, beanies, gloves and sunglass for the hike
• Lake Sylvia State Park, Montesano: The two-mile hike begins at 1:30 p.m. at the beach kitchen shelter. Trail is moderately easy, and children must be 5 years or older to participate. Please leave pets and bicycles at home
Hot chocolate for participants is provided after each hike. It is recommended that participants take along water. More information about First Day Hikes in Washington is available online at www.parks.wa.gov/events.
First Day Hikes first started at Blue Hills Reservation, a state park in Milton, Mass., more than 20 years ago. The program aimed to promote both healthy lifestyles and year-round recreation at state parks. This is the first year all 50 state park systems have offered First Day Hikes on New Year ’s Day as part of the America’s State Parks First Day Hikes national campaign, organized by the National Association of State Park Directors. For more information about hikes across the country, please visit www.americasstateparks.org.
The National Association of State Park Directors and America’s State Parks strives to promote and advance the state park systems of American for their own significance, as well as for their important contributions to the nation’s environment, heritage, health and economy.
The Commission manages a diverse system of more than 100 state parks and recreation programs, including long-distance trails, boating safety and winter recreation. The 98-year-old park system will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2013.
Washington State Parks is now on Twitter at WaStatePks_NEWS and YouTube at WashingtonStateParks.
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