(Area) First day hikes will take on a different look on January 1st.
Typically the first day of the new year is ushered in with group events at participating state parks. Shelby County Naturalist Christina Roelofs says all hiking will be on an independent basis this time around. “There’s more than 50 state parks participating. There’s a first day hike challenge online and these 50 state parks all have recommended route maps out. They are doing a little contest with it with the passport program. It’s a new program this year where you can check in at state parks and you get entered in for drawings for different prizes.”
The prize for the first day hikes is a free two night cabin stay at Lake Darling State Park in Southeast Iowa. The whole idea is to get people to enjoy the outdoors. “It’s always great for the physical and mental aspect to get outdoors and be out in nature. It reduces a lot of stress and of course it is a great way to get exercise.”
Hikers have from January 1st until January 3rd to check in to a state park and get entered for the drawing.
