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'First Day Hikes' come to Buffalo Harbor, Niagara Falls and Fort Niagara

by jmaloni

Submitted

Wed, Dec 24th 2014 07:00 am

Ring in the new year in the great outdoors

The Niagara Region of the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation is announces the lineup for the annual "First Day Hikes" to be held Thursday, Jan. 1. The free hikes will be held at the region's newest state park, Buffalo Harbor, as well as Niagara Falls State Park and Fort Niagara State Park.

Held on New Year's Day, "First Day Hikes" offer a way to connect with the outdoors, exercise, enjoy nature and welcome the new year with friends and family. Participants can expect to be surrounded by the quiet beauty of the season and unique vistas, and benefit from the company of a knowledgeable guide.

State park staff and volunteers will lead these family-friendly walks and hikes, which average one to three miles or longer depending on the location.

The lineup of hikes is as follows; pre-registration is strongly encouraged.

A Buffalo Harbor New Year!

Buffalo Harbor State Park

10a.m. to noon

Celebrate the new year at New York's newest state park. Tour Buffalo's historic waterfront past towering grain elevators, lighthouses, shipping ports and more. Bring your cross-country skis if there is snow (it will be a walking tour in the event of no snow).

Meeting Place: Small boat harbor parking lot

Planned Route: Bike path at Gallagher Beach to the Buffalo River Lighthouse

Gear Needed: Outdoor clothing and cross-country skis if the snow in more than 3 inches; hiking boots if the snow is less than three inches. A limited number of skis may be available for those who do not have their own.

For more information or to pre-register, call 716-549-1050.

First Day: Let's go to Niagara Falls!

Niagara Falls State Park

10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

It's a new year and our park has a new look. Learn things you never knew as you meet new friends on this walk in America's oldest state park.

Meeting Place: Niagara Falls State Park Visitors Center

Planned Route: The walk through the park will be about two miles.

Gear Needed: Warm clothes and footwear and a camera.

For more information or to pre-register, call 716-282-5154.

First Day History Hike

Fort Niagara State Park

1:30-4 p.m.

Join us for a walk to view the Niagara River, War of 1812 cemetery, and see the lighthouse and Old Fort Niagara from the parking lot. (The venue is closed on New Year's Day.) There will be a tour of the officer's club to view the paintings and visit the museum displays. Travel to the site where the POWs were held during WWII.

Meeting Place: Parking lot near the officer's club

Planned Route: The walk through the park will be about 1.5 miles and does include some stairs and climbing.

Gear Needed: Warm clothes and footwear and a camera.

For more information or to pre-register, call 716-282-5154.

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