NH State Parks Celebrates the New Year with First Day Hike on January 1, 2013

Concord, New Hampshire - The New Hampshire Division of Parks and Recreation, Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forest and Eastern Mountain Sports will sponsor a free, guided hike at Monadnock State Park and at Wentworth-Coolidge Mansion Historic Site on New Year’s Day as part of America's State Parks First Day Hikes initiative in all 50 states.  America’s State Parks First Day Hikes offer individuals and families an opportunity to begin the New Year rejuvenating and connecting with the outdoors by taking a healthy hike on January 1, 2013.

“We are excited to host First Day Hikes as part of this national effort to get people outdoors and into our parks.  First Day Hikes is a great way to cure cabin fever and burn off those extra holiday calories by starting off the New Year with an invigorating walk or hike in one of our beautiful state parks,” said Phil Bryce, Director of New Hampshire Division of Parks and Recreation. “We are fortunate to collaborate with wonderful partners to help provide First Day Hike activities at Monadnock State Park and Wentworth-Coolidge Mansion Historic Site.”

At 10:00am on January 1st, park staff and volunteers will lead an easy to moderate hike, which is about one