Start the New Year with First Day Hike

Park Services Specialist Brittany Sims suggests Historic City News readers meet at Anastasia State Park on New Year’s Day, January 1, 2014 at 9:00 a.m. to participate in the “First Day Hike” and observe what life is like on the wild side.

This first half of the First Day Hike, expected to run from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., starts with a leisurely stroll through the Maritime Hammock, and continues along Salt Run, our estuarine habitat, then takes an intermission and rest room break at the Windsurf Pavilion.

The second half of the First Day Hike proceeds along the boardwalk, over the salt marsh, through the sand dunes, and finishing on the shoreline. Participants of the walk will discover an assortment of flora and fauna that are the makeup of the important ecosystems of Anastasia, and possibly increase their knowledge of some history of the park and the surrounding area.

The full length of the walk is 2.5 miles round trip. Participants may choose to only walk the first half to Windsurf to shorten the length of the walk if preferred.

Suggested items to bring are binoculars, comfortable walking shoes, camera, drinking water, bug spray, and sunscreen.

Meet at the Ranger Station. Regular park entry fees apply ($8/vehicle with 2-8 occupants; $4/single-occupant vehicle, or $2/walker or bicyclist). Event is weather permitting.

Call Brittany at (904) 461-2035 to register.