New Year? Take a hike!

Cape Henlopen
Cape Henlopen State Park (Photo: DFN)

DOVER, DELAWARE (12/30/2014) Delaware State Parks will sponsor free, guided hikes in nine state parks on New Year’s Day, official’s announced today.

The event is part of the America’s State Parks First Day Hikes initiative. The hikes offer individuals and families an opportunity to begin the New Year by connecting with the outdoors at a state park close to home.

On Jan. 1, 2014, 642 participants hiked more than 1,500 miles at nine different state parks in Delaware.

Parks staff and volunteers will lead the 2015 hikes, which average one to two miles or longer. Details about hike locations, difficulty, length, terrain and tips on what to wear, are listed on the America’s State Parks website, naspd.org, or visit destateparks.com/firstday for Delaware information.

First Day Hikes originated more than 20 years ago at the Blue Hills Reservation in Milton, Mass., to promote healthy lifestyles throughout the year and year-round recreation at state parks. Last year marked the first time all 50 state park systems participated.

HIKE DETAILS:

New Castle County

Alapocas Run State Park – Blue Ball Barn

1914 West Park Drive, Wilmington, DE 19803

302-577-7020

10 a.m.

 

Bellevue State Park

800 Carr Road, Wilmington, DE 19809

302-761-6963

1 p.m.

 

Brandywine Creek State Park

41 Adams Dam Road, Wilmington, DE

302-577-3534

2 p.m.

 

Lums Pond State Park

1068 Howell School Road, Bear, DE 19701

302-368-6989

2 p.m.

 

White Clay Creek State Park

750 Thompson State Road, Newark, DE

302-368-6900

1 p.m.

 

Kent County

Killens Pond State Park

5025 Killens Pond Road, Felton, DE 19943

302-284-4299

1 p.m.

 

Sussex County

Cape Henlopen State Park

15099 Cape Henlopen Drive, Lewes, DE 19958

302-645-6852

11 a.m.

 

Delaware Seashore State Park

25039 Coastal Highway, Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971

302-227-6991

1 p.m.

 

Trap Pond State Park

33587 Baldcypress Lane, Laurel, DE 19956

302-875-5163

10 a.m.