Saturday designated as annual Trails Day

Indiana DNR Release:

Take a hike!

What better way to celebrate on Saturday, which has been designated as Trails Day in Indiana by Governor Mitch Daniels.

Each year Indiana joins states across the nation in marking National Trails Day as a time to recognize America’s trails system and its countless supporters and volunteers. Saturday marks the 18th anniversary of National Trails Day.

The theme for this year’s National Trails Day is “Find Your Happy Place.”

Americans, and Hoosiers in particular, are encouraged to join a trail-related organization, outdoor retailer, state or local park and recreation department, or federal land management unit in getting outside to experience everything the great outdoors has to offer.

Not just this Saturday, but any other day of the year.

Indiana’s trails are a rich mosaic of natural treasures with value and beauty that provide numerous recreational opportunities, bringing together family and friends, enhancing quality of life, and boosting tourism.

Trails and trail building projects also stimulate economic development and provide jobs as well as goods and services from various Indiana businesses.

“Hoosiers on the Move,” the Indiana State Trails, Greenways & Bikeways Plan that was launched in 2006 set an ambitious goal of providing trail opportunities within 15 minutes or 7.5 miles of every Hoosier by 2016.

Expansion of trail opportunities also contributes to the goals of the INShape Indiana program by providing places for Hoosiers to recreate and exercise, thereby improving their physical and mental well being.

For more information about trails and hiking opportunities in Indiana, go to the DNR Division of Outdoor Recreation website at www.in.gov/dnr/outdoor/.