New Yorkers Invited to Celebrate National Trails Day at New York State Parks

Hikes, preservation efforts planned at parks across state to honor and care for trails

ALBANY, NY (05/31/2012)(readMedia)-- The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation encourages New Yorkers to get outside and experience all the great outdoors has to offer on Saturday, June 2, 2012 to celebrate the American Hiking Society's 20th annual National Trails Day.

Parks across the state will host a wide range of activities on Saturday, including hikes and walks, trail maintenance, children's programs, geocaching, trail exhibits, craft-making opportunities, barbeques and more. A full list of these events can be found at www.nysparks.com.

"New York's trails provide us with diverse, enriching experiences through access to our parks' forests and lakes, deep river gorges in the Finger Lakes area, the Long Island Pine Barrens, the incredible countryside throughout the state and the excitement of New York City through its extensive greenway system," said Rose Harvey, Commissioner of the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.

"I encourage New Yorkers to step outside on Saturday, June 2nd and participate in National Trails Day," Harvey continued. "Join up with a local trail project or go for a stroll, run, hike, or bike ride, on New York's incredible trail system. Or take a boat, canoe or kayak out on one of New York's many water trails. We should all take time to enjoy, celebrate and appreciate the magnificent resources that surround us."

National Trails Day, launched in 1993, is the only nationwide celebration of trails and is purposed to increase awareness about trails, celebrate the hard work and support of volunteers, land agencies, and outdoor-minded businesses, as well as to introduce people to the joys and benefits of trails. For more information about National Trails Day, visit http://www.americanhiking.org/national-trails-day/.

New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation oversees 178 state parks and 35 historic sites. For more information on any of these recreation areas, call 518-474-0456 or visit www.nysparks.com, connect with us on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter.

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