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National Park Service Celebrates

16^th^ Annual National Trails Day with Events Nationwide

Organized by the American Hiking Society and now in its sixteenth year,
National Trails Day --- the largest annual single-day trails and outdoor
celebration in the country --- consists of activities including hiking,
biking, horseback riding, paddling, trail dedications, instructional
workshops, park clean-ups, trail work projects, and much more.

Every year on the first Saturday in June, thousands of hikers, bikers,
equestrians, paddlers, and other trail users flock to their favorite
trails to discover, celebrate, and learn about trails as part of
National Trails Day. This year, the Rivers, Trails, and Conservation
Assistance Program of the National Park Service (NPS) is participating
in numerous National Trails Day events nationwide. Through the Rivers,
Trails, and Conservation Assistance (RTCA) Program, the National Park
Service provides technical assistance to community groups and local,
State, and federal government agencies so they can conserve rivers,
preserve open space, and develop trails and greenways.

The NPS RTCA Program will assist with community events in Alabama,
Idaho, Illinois, Maine, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, and Washington.
Events include new trail dedications, educational exhibits, water trail
paddling, trail restoration and maintenance, and guided hikes on
America's favorite trails.

RTCA staff will celebrate National Trails Day (NTD) with communities
across the country. Events include:

-   **Alabama (Montgomery\'s Downtown Riverwalk):** The grand opening of
    the Alabama

> Scenic River Trail. This landmark event celebrates the opening of the
> nation\'s longest single-state water trail and its new designation as
> a National Recreation Trail. The NRT plaque will be presented to the
> Alabama Scenic River Trail Association by NPS representative, Jeff
> Duncan. At 631 miles, the ASRT stretches from the border of Georgia
> and Alabama to the Gulf of Mexico. *Contact: Jeff Duncan*

-   **Idaho (City Park, Aberdeen):** Promotion of community trails at
    the Aberdeen Daze (the

> third weekend in June) starting with a 5K run and a 2.5K walk, and
> free breakfast in the park. The route selected for the \"dash\" is one
> segment of the three trails proposed in Aberdeen\'s draft trail plan.
> *Contact: Alexandra Stone*

-   **Illinois (Northeastern region):** The Northeastern Illinois Water
    Trails **"Paddle-A**

> **Trail,"** held throughout the month of June. Paddlers from all over
> the region will participate in the inventory of watertrails to create
> the very first paddler-written on-line guide to our region\'s
> waterways. *Contact: Diane Banta*

-   **Maine (South Portland):** Two events sponsored by the West End
    Trails committee of the South Portland Land Trust. In the morning,
    the City Arborist and local historian will lead a walk through
    Barberry Creek Woods, the future site of public trails. In the
    afternoon, volunteers will gather for a bag lunch along the brook
    and then clear the first section of the Red Brook Trail, connecting
    to last year\'s new trail around Clark\'s Pond. *Contact: Julie
    Isbill*

-   **Nationwide:** The Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders and Exhibitors
    Association will be holding trail events at National Parks and U.S.
    Forest Service lands throughout the country. Many of these events
    are a result of the current partnership with NPS. See
    <http://www.twhbea.com/pdf/TrailYouthDayFlyer.pdf> for more
    information. *Contact: Mary Hanson*

-   **New Hampshire (Mink Brook in Hanover):** A work day on the Mink
    Brook Preserve (with the Hanover Conservation Council) to include
    modest trail improvements, such as trail blazing, brush clearing,
    and invasive remediation. *Contact: Lelia Mellen*

-   **Pennsylvania (Bristol and New Hope):** A dedication event to
    celebrate the 20^th^ Anniversary of the Delaware & Lehigh National
    Heritage Corridor. *Contact: Joe DiBello*

-   **Washington (Trustland Trails, Whidbey Island):** A showcase of the
    new 200-acre woodlands including a nature scavenger hunt with
    prizes, guided walks with local birding experts, wildlife
    scientists, nature artists, and trail rides on horseback. A
    volunteer trail construction workshop will be led by the NPS Trails
    Maintenance Supervisor from North Cascades National Park. *Contact:
    Alexandra Stone*

NPS RTCA staff assist with approximately 300 projects each year and have
worked in all 50 states. For more details on the RTCA Program and
contact information, visit
**[www.nps.gov/rtca](http://www.nps.gov/rtca)[/]{.underline}** or call
(202) 354-6900. For more information about National Trails Day, visit
[**www.americanhiking.org**]{.underline} or call (301) 565-6704.