Presque Isle, Pymatuning offer First Day Hikes

Source: Erie Times-News, Pa.儲存倉Dec. 26--Presque Isle State Park is full of surprises, and people who resolve to walk it in the new year never know what they'll experience on their next night trek."On quite a few walks, people got a wonderful surprise," said Brian Gula, a park environmental education specialist. "All of a sudden, the coyotes started sounding off."While hearing howls could make some visitors' hair stand on end, park staffers see it as a teachable moment, a time to educate people about the animals.Education is one component of the New Year's Resolution Walk Series that kicks off Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. The weekly evening walks allow participants to explore parts of the park they might not be familiar with at a time of day they're usually not allowed out of their cars. The events also draw people outdoors for exercise.Presque Isle is one of 19 state parks in Pennsylvania offering free guided hikes on New Year's Day. Presque Isle's walks then continue each Wednesday through March 26.The First Day Hikes are sponsored by the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources as part of a nationwide effort to get people active outdoors."Our First Day Hikes help remind people that our state parks and forests are open for healthy outdoor adventures in all four seasons, including winter," DCNR Secretary Ellen Ferretti said. "They are a great way to start the first day of the year and make a resolution to enjoy nature and get more exercise."Pymatuning State Park will hold a snowshoe hike Wednesday at 10 a.m. A limited number of snowshoes are available for loan and, if there isn't snow, a regular hike will be held, organizers said.The 1.5-mile walk around the shores of Pymatuning will include birding a迷你倉最平d winter plant identification, followed by healthy snacks, organizers said.Pymatuning officials said it's a way to start the year off on a healthy foot.At Presque Isle, the New Year's walk series began in 2012 and has become increasingly popular. Initial crowds of 50 sometimes now top 200, Gula said.Each week, they travel about 3 miles on a different peninsula path. Some are paved, some not. Stepping on sandy beaches also is a possibility and Gula recommended sturdy footwear. Walkers also are encouraged to dress for the weather.Participants will be accompanied by staff and volunteers ready to identify animal tracks and sounds. After hearing coyotes, naturalists might explain that the animals eat not only squirrels, rabbits and mice but also vegetation, Gula said.He said the walk series is held in the evening because it's a time when wildlife is active and more likely to be seen and heard by humans, who are usually not permitted to walk on the peninsula after dusk.The series starts in January and runs through March to allow people to begin the new year with a healthy outdoor activity that they can look forward to doing each week with others, Gula said."These are actually the months we need to get out more, physically and emotionally," he said.Gula said naturalists see many of the same walkers each week."I think what appeals to them, for one, it's guided by a naturalist," he said. "Two, there's this group dynamic that has formed, kind of a camaraderie."DANA MASSING can be reached at 870-1729 or by e-mail. Follow her on Twitter at twitter.com/ETNmassing.Copyright: ___ (c)2013 the Erie Times-News (Erie, Pa.) Visit the Erie Times-News (Erie, Pa.) at .GoErie.com Distributed by MCT Information Services迷你倉