The American Hiking Society is urging families to rediscover quality outdoor time by discovering their local trails on June 4th, National Trails Day, a nationwide celebration of more than 1,000 outdoor events.
“Taking a hike is a terrific way for families to spend time together,” said Dr. Gregory Miller, President of American Hiking. “An hour in a local park a couple times a week can help keep a family connected and healthy. Whoever thought up the phrase 'quality time' must have been a hiker!”
There are National Trails Day events for every type of trail travel, including road and mountain biking, paddling, equestrian rides, climbing, and guided nature walks. There are park clean-ups and trail work for volunteers; and new trail openings, educational seminars and clinics, gear demonstrations, health screenings, cook-offs-something for every outdoor interest.
Park agencies, volunteer organizations and businesses collaborate to host the events, each designed to encourage people to hit the trail and discover a new path to a healthy lifestyle. “I think people are beginning to realize there is more to health than just a cardio-vascular workout,” said Miller. “That is an obvious benefit from hiking, but relaxation, nature, and quiet-time with people you care about also contribute to our mental and spiritual well-being.”
National Trails Day helps people find trails near their homes. In Greensboro, North Carolina, there will be hikes, walks and rides throughout the city's trail system, culminating at a trail fair in the city's Bur Mill Park. There will be music, food, and lots of fun educational exhibits. In New York City's Highbridge Park there will be demonstrations of outdoor cooking, backpacking basics, and wilderness first aid-after a series of bike rides and hikes. Near Boise, Idaho, volunteers are installing a solar lighting system along a Nordic ski and snow-shoeing trail.
American Hiking encourages all Americans to get outdoors June 4 and enjoy nature, get fit and have fun. With more than 1,000 trail and outdoor events to choose from, there's bound to be something for everyone.
American Hiking Society is a national non-profit organization that promotes and protects trails and the hiking experience. National Trails Day is organized in cooperation with Bureau of Land Management, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Federal Highway Administration, National Park Service, USDA Forest Service, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Sponsorship and promotional support is provided by Adventure Medical Kits, Backpacker, Eastern Mountain Sports, Merrell, REI, Royal Robbins, and Thorlos.
