| MAY 20, 2013 -- On the weekend of June 1st and 2nd, Connecticut will again host the largest National Trails Day (NTD) celebration in the nation with 259 events scheduled on over 560 miles of trail throughout the state. The Connecticut Forest & Park Association (CFPA), the state’s first nonprofit conservation organization, has been coordinating Connecticut’s celebration since NTD began in 1993. Connecticut has been hosting the most events for this celebration for much of the last decade. “We may be the third smallest state in the nation, but we’re big on enthusiasm for trails, outdoor recreation, and land conservation. That enthusiasm spans from people of all ages and backgrounds, from young children to state legislators,” notes CFPA’s Connecticut Trails Day Coordinator Jennifer Benner.
“CFPA’s goal this year was to offer a CT Trails Day Weekend event in every Connecticut town. We came close with 152 towns participating. 90% town participation is a pretty great achievement for all the volunteers and organizations involved,” Benner adds. There will be events for everyone, including hiking, biking, horseback riding, running, trail maintenance, kayaking, educational walks, bird watching, letterboxing, and more. These events are guided by knowledgeable volunteers from local hiking clubs, parks and recreation departments, state agencies, conservation organizations, historic groups, education programs, and land trusts. 57 of this year’s events will take place on CFPA’s Blue-Blazed Hiking Trail System—the largest trail network in the state with over 825 miles of trail all maintained by volunteers (www.ctwoodlands.org/trails).
Connecticut’s recognition of NTD (a nationwide hiking initiative established by the American Hiking Society) began as a one-day event. The celebration’s tremendous popularity and growth over the years, however, has resulted in a full weekend of fun that inspires thousands of Nutmeggers to participate in activities that emphasize the importance of nature, promote healthy living and mental well-being, and instill excitement for the outdoors. The success of Connecticut Trails Day Weekend would not be possible without strong participation by organizations like the Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP), Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC), Connecticut Library Consortium, Connecticut State Library, land trusts, town agencies, outdoors-oriented businesses, volunteers, CFPA, and many dedicated financial sponsors—including DEEP in partnership with the Federal Highway Administration, Stop & Shop, and Connecticut Light & Power.
A full listing of the Connecticut events is published by CFPA in its Connecticut Trails Day Weekendbooklet. Booklets are available, while supplies last, at Connecticut public libraries, Stop & Shop stores, various outdoor retailers, and at CFPA’s office in Rockfall. An electronic version of the booklet can be viewed at www.ctwoodlands.org/CT-TrailsDayWeekend2013.
Connecticut Forest & Park Association (CFPA), founded in 1895, is a non-profit organization serving Connecticut to protect forests, parks, walking trails, and open spaces for future generations. CFPA maintains the 825-mile Blue-Blazed Hiking Trail System, trains educators to utilize forests as a teaching tool, and is creating healthier communities through its WalkCT initiative. Visit www.ctwoodlands.org for more information. |
