Delawareans can kick off 2016 with a birding hike at White Clay Creek or a history themed hike at Fort DuPont.
The outings are just two of the first day hikes sponsored by Delaware State Parks as part of a national initiative. 21 different hikes will take place at 14 state parks and historical sites.
Riley Hayes, an Interpretive Specialist for Delaware State Parks says first day hikes are a good reason to get off the coach.
“It's a really important part of your exercise routine and your life to get outside and resist the draw of electronics and things that are pulling you in,” she says. “Get outdoors and enjoy it and start the New Year off right with a good hike.”
The national initiative is designed to get people outdoors and all 50 state park systems are participating.
Hayes adds the Delaware State Parks hikes will be of varying difficulty, lengths and speeds.
“For example, Killens Pond is doing one hike that will travel rather slowly, meant for children that want to kind of go slow and look around, and they'll stop at a lot of the scenic overlooks,” she says. “But they also have hikes that will go for the entire pondside trail which is 2.6 miles and it will go at a much faster pace.”
Delaware State Parks will sponsor free guided hikes in all of its state parks on New Year’s Day. Each hike is all ages and pet friendly. Hikers will receive a free magnet, while supplies last.
On January 1 of 2015, more than 720 participants hiked over 1700 miles in Delaware’s State Parks on New Year’s Day.
You can see a complete list of hikes, at destateparks.com
