First Day Hike at Lily Bay State Park

    BEAVER COVE — The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry’s Bureau of Parks and Lands will sponsor a free, guided hike in Lily Bay State park on New Year’s Day as part of America’s State Parks First Day Hikes initiative. That initiative, held in all 50 states, offers individuals and families an opportunity to begin the New Year rejuvenating and connecting with the outdoors by taking a healthy hike on Jan. 1, 2014 at a state park close to home.  

    The Lily Bay State Park hike will take place at noon and will be a leisurely 1-hour ranger led hike along the shore of Moosehead Lake to investigate the wonders of the season. Wear warm clothes and sturdy shoes or boots. Meet at the entry booth parking lot. For more information, call 695-2700.
    “First Day Hikes are an opportunity to get outside, exercise, enjoy nature and welcome the New Year with friends and family,” said Gov. Paul R. LePage. “It is healthy and fun way to ring in the New Year, celebrate our shared achievements and look to 2014 with optimism and a renewed focus.”
    Commissioner Walt Whitcomb stressed the importance of beginning the New Year with a healthy lifestyle. “There is no better place to start the New Year with a healthy lifestyle than state parks. State parks offer wonderful opportunities for exercise and moments to reflect away from electronic display screens and the constant barrage of information,” said Whitcomb. “In the coming year, the DACF is looking to identify more ways to connect healthy outdoor activities and healthy, locally grown foods and produce.”
    “This will be the first of many exciting Maine state park offerings planned for 2014,” said Will Harris, director of the Bureau of Parks and Lands. “First Day Hikes are 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. “We are excited to host First Day Hikes as part of this national effort to get people outdoors and into state parks.” 
    For more information on the Maine State Parks, go www.parksandlands.com.