Massachusetts states parks will as soon as once more provide free guided hikes for these seeking to kick off the brand new 12 months within the nice open air.
“As we celebrate MA250, we are proud to continue this initiative that brings together people of all walks of life — across generations, backgrounds, abilities, and communities — to start their year off by getting outside to take in our amazing state parks,” stated Gov. Maura Healey.
The thirty fourth annual First Day Hikes initiative will host free guided hikes at 14 parks throughout the state on Jan. 1, from Boston to Mashpee to Turner Falls.
The hikes are scheduled to start anyplace from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the varied parks and vary from 1 mile to five miles. Extra details about the areas, instances and hikes may be discovered on DCR’s web site.
The custom started in Massachusetts on New 12 months’s Day in 1992, when 400 folks gathered in Blue Hills Reservation in Milton for the vacation. Through the years, this system expanded to incorporate extra parks throughout the state and was adopted throughout all 50 states in 2012 following the endorsement of America’s State Parks.
The initiative “aims to promote year-round outdoor recreation and to inspire residents and families to discover the beauty of the Massachusetts State Parks system,” DCR stated.
In 2024, over 3,000 took half within the New 12 months’s hike, the division stated.
Hikers this 12 months will obtain a First Day Hike winter hat, observe explaining the historical past of the initiative, and a First Day Hike commemorative pin on the parks. Most areas will even present scorching chocolate after the hike.
DCR recommends individuals “dress for the weather, wear sturdy shoes, and bring water” and speak to the park to substantiate the hike will take their place if any inclement climate happens.
“One of our goals at DCR is to get more families outside into our amazing state parks and build the next generation of environmental stewards and First Day Hikes is a great way to do that,” stated Division of Conservation and Recreation Commissioner Brian Arrigo. “We look forward to seeing Massachusetts residents and families at one of our 14 hikes across the state this New Year’s Day, connecting with the natural world and experiencing all our state parks system has to offer.”
The parks embody within the First Day Hikes program embody Pope John Paul II Park Reservation, Breakheart Reservation, Halibut Level, Harold Parker State Forest, Walden Pond State Reservation, South Cape Seashore, Blue Hills Reservation, Blackstone Heritage Hall Customer Heart, Blackstone River and Canal Heritage, Dunn, Pearl Hill, Wachusett Reservoir, Nice Falls Discovery Heart and Chester Blandford State Forest.
AP Photograph/Charles Krupa
Males climb stairs whereas figuring out on the Wachusett Reservoir Dam in Clinton, Mass. (AP Photograph/Charles Krupa)
