For Immediate Release Contact: Vanessa Gulati
December 21, 2006 617-626-1119
DCR TO HOST FIRST DAY HIKES ON NEW YEAR’S DAY 2007
Start your New Year off on the right foot! The Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation will be hosting a number of First Day Hikes in its parks on New Year’s Day. All ages are welcome and all hikes are free of charge. Sturdy footwear, appropriate clothing, and bottled water are required. Hiking poles, binoculars, and a snack are recommended.
Pine Mountain,
Pittsfield State Forest, Pittsfield
9:00 a.m.
Meet at the Ski Lodge
Moderate to strenuous difficulty. Hot chocolate will be provided.
Directions: From downtown Pittsfield, take Route 7 at Park Square, travel west on West Street for 2.2 miles, turn right onto Churchill Street, and continue for 1.7 miles to Cascade Street. Turn left and follow the brown lead-in signs to the State Forest. Bear left at the entrance. The Ski Lodge is at first parking lot on right.
For more information, call 413-442-8992
Sanderson Brook
Falls, Chester-Blandford State Forest, Chester
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Sanderson Brook Falls parking lot trailhead, opposite Bannish Lumber on Route 20
Easy to moderate difficulty. Hot chocolate will be provided.
For more information, call 413-499-4262
Money Brook Falls, Mount
Greylock State Reservation, Williamstown
10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Hopper Road trailhead
Moderate to strenuous difficulty. Hot chocolate will be provided.
Directions: Take Route 7 north to Route 43 (Green River Rd.), go 2.25 miles to Hopper Rd., follow to end.
For more information, call 413-499-4262
Leominster State
Forest, Leominster
10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Parking lot at the Princeton/Westminster town line on Route 31
Directions: Take Route 2 to Route 31 South (exit 28), or take Route 190 North to Route 140 North (exit 5) to Route 31 North.
For more information, call 617-694-9190
Spencer State Forest,
Midstate Trail, Spencer
10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
4H Camp parking area on McCormack Road in Spencer
Ages 12+.
Directions: Take Route 122 to Paxton Center, to Route 31 South, turn left onto Thompson Pond Rd., right onto McCormack Rd. Or, take Route 9 to Spencer Center, Route 31 North, turn right onto Thompson Pond Rd., right onto McCormack Rd.
For more information, call 413-262-6366
Blue Hills
Reservation, Milton
Several hikes will be offered, all starting at 1:00 p.m.
Houghton’s Pond main parking lot, 840 Hillside Street in Milton
A complimentary cup of soup will be served at noon.
Directions: Take Route 93 South to exit 3 and follow the First Day signs.
For more information, call 617-698-1802
Breakheart
Reservation, Saugus
1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Chris P. Dunne Visitor Center, 177 Forest Street, Saugus
Moderate difficulty. Hot drinks and Kelly’s clam chowder will be provided.
Directions: Take Route 1 to Lynn Fells Parkway, entrance on Forest Street
For more information, call 617-727-1199, x. 212.
Pearl Hill State Park,
Townsend
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Meet at Pearl Hill State Park parking lot on New Fitchburg Road in West Townsend.
For more information, call 978-597-3553.
Massasoit State Park,
Taunton
12:30 p.m.
1361 Middleboro Avenue, East Taunton
For more information, call 508-822-7405.
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