Last Thursday evening, I spent New Year’s Eve much like everyone else the world-over: joyfully celebrating the end of 2020 on my living room couch.
For the last decade or so, I’ve celebrated the annual calendar-turnover out with friends. This time, my wife, Brianna and I took a walk together down a nearby trail and then played board games by ourselves until midnight struck.
All in all, it was a fittingly quiet way to usher out what was perhaps one of the most challenging years I’ve endured. Hopefully, 2021 will be a kinder experience.
During this next rotation around the sun, I’m looking forward especially to being able to dive deeper into music (I’m going to try to record an album at home, wish me luck) and to finding new trails in our beautiful region. In 2020, time and again, nature proved to be the healing balm I needed. I want to be even more intentional about seeking it out this new year.
With cold weather now firmly settled and daylight in short supply, it’s a great time to do so.
Of course, there are myriad trails throughout our region. We’re blessed to live in a corner of the world that boasts open space, beautiful woods and idyllic footpaths, many of which are familiar. For those that aren’t so familiar, the state Department of Conservation and Recreation’s (DCR) First Week Hikes program can be a helpful resource.
Typically, the DCR has made an annual event out of First Day Hikes by hosting a variety of events such as hikes led by wildlife experts. First Day Hikes were started at the Blue Hills Reservation in Milton in 1992 as an effort to promote year-round outdoor recreation. According to a news release, a “growing collection of participating states culminated in 2012 when all 50 state park systems joined together to sponsor America’s State Parks First Day Hikes Initiative, which has since become the signature nationwide program for the National Association of State Park Directors (NASPD).”
This year, because of the pandemic, group hikes have been canceled. Instead, the state has a list of recommended self-guided hikes (at state parks and along trails including Erving State Park and the Great Falls Discovery Centery) that can be found at mass.gov/info-details/first-week-hikes-2021.
Guidance listed there recommends: If a facility or park is crowded, consider leaving and either visiting a different place or returning at a later date or time (typically state parks are less busy during the week and/or early in the morning); stay within solitary or small groups, and avoid gatherings of 10 or more people; practice social distancing of at least six feet; wear a facial mask or covering in public; practice healthy personal hygiene, such as hand-washing for at least 20 seconds; return to the car by 4:30 p.m., before the sun sets.
Notably, many visitor centers at state parks remain closed. However, many restrooms or porta-johns remain open. Dogs must be leashed unless signage designates otherwise. Dogs are not permitted on DCR Water Supply Protection areas. To find a dog-friendly park, visit the DCR’s website.
As we kick off a new year during this strange season, I’m hopeful that the coming months will bring with them more encouraging news than dire reports. And I’m looking forward to the adventures (however small they might be) that await just a short walk down a familiar trail.
Andy Castillo is the features editor at the Greenfield Recorder. He can be reached at acastillo@recorder.com.