SAUGUS — Despite the icy trails, a dozen hikers strapped on their boots and braved the cold weather for a walk through Breakheart Reservation to start off the new year.
“There’s something about being up here that’s special,” said Lisa Santarpio, who was taking part in the First Day Hike with her sister Deb Brems for the first time. “We’re starting the year off right.”
First Day Hikes were held at seven state parks across Massachusetts Monday as part America’s State Park Day Hikes, a national effort to get people outside in all 50 states.
The events started in 1992 at the Blue Hills Reservation in Milton, which continues to draw more than 1,000 participants each year. America’s State Parks adopted the tradition in 2012, when more than 55,000 people participated in guided hikes that covered 133,000 miles on 1,100 hikes across the United States.
This year, the hikes have become an international movement with the addition of activities in Ontario parks in Canada.
“The Commonwealth is proud to once again offer First Day Hikes to residents and visitors seeking to ring in the new year by spending time together in our beautiful DCR parks,” Gov. Charlie Baker said in a statement. “These seven guided hikes, spread out across Massachusetts, will provide nature enthusiasts with an excellent opportunity to enjoy the outdoors and continue this annual tradition into 2018.”
The hikes are meant to encourage year-round healthy living and remind the public that state parks are always open for recreational activities.
Walkers met at the Christopher P. Dunne Visitor Center and settled on a path with less of an incline that brought them to the beach and back.
“I just love being in nature,” said Brems. “When you’re surrounded by the hustle and bustle of the highway all around you, it’s great to have this little piece of nature right here. It’s a positive way to start off the year. There’s something so special about it.”