WINSLOW, Ark. — First Day Hikes is a nationwide program led by America's State Parks to encourage people to get outside and explore their state parks with free guided hikes on the first day of the year. They also encourage self-guided walks and hikes on the New Year's weekend.
Devil's Den State Park participated in the program and offered a guided tour of their Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) trail. The CCC was a group of men in the 1930s who built facilities and trails all across the county as part of Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal, an effort to lift the country out of the Great Depression. The trail is located where 200 men set up camp to build the park in the '30s.
"We have some gorgeous state parks in Arkansas. We should go out and enjoy them," Chrystal Baker, who was visiting Devil's Den from Little Rock, said. "So about four years ago, we started making it a tradition to come to an Arkansas State Park for the New Year's Eve weekend."
Terry Anderson is a park interpreter for Devil's Den and said she was pleased with the turnout, as it's the most people they've seen for the First Day Hike in a few years.
"Arkansas has always participated greatly in it. It's to get people out on the first day of the year. Get them out, get some fresh air, see nature, and also explore their state parks that they happen to be around," Anderson said.
She said it's fun to start the new year with learning and being outside.
“I enjoy seeing the people, especially the kids. Working with the kids, teaching them about the history and also teaching them about nature. Hopefully, they'll grow up to be our next generation that's going to learn to conserve and take care of nature," Anderson said.
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