National Trails Day: Saturday, June 5, 2010

American Hiking Society's annual trail awareness program, National Trails Day® (NTD), encourages the public and trail enthusiasts nationwide to seek out their favorite trails to discover, learn about, and celebrate trails while participating in educational exhibits, trail dedications, gear demonstrations, instructional workshops and trail work projects. The Waterville Valley Athletic and Improvement Association (WVAIA) in association with the Margret & H.A. Rey Center, is doing its part to honor National Trails Day, leading a local trail maintenance hike from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 5.

America's 200,000 miles of trails allow us access to the natural world for recreation, education, exploration, solitude, inspiration, and much more. Trails improve physical and mental health by providing us with a chance to breathe fresh air, get our hearts pumping, and escape from our stress. But trails do not just appear for our enjoyment, it takes many hours of planning, labor, and negotiations to develop them. National Trails Day seeks to acknowledge the effort that goes into trails and the benefits we receive from them.

The WVAIA was formed in 1888 by a group of guests at the Elliot's Hotel in Waterville Valley, NH. Its objective was "to encourage all healthful exercise and afford facilities thereto." From the beginning, members assumed care of the hiking trails. Today, the WVAIA continues its historic mission, supporting North America's oldest network of hiking trails, as well as fly-fishing, croquet and social gatherings for outdoor enthusiasts who enjoy all that Waterville Valley, NH, has to offer. Join the WVAIA on National Trails Day to show your support for trails and have some fun, too! The WVAIA will lead additional trail maintenance hikes locally on Saturday, July 3, Saturday, August 7 and Saturday, October 2.

All Trail Days meet at 9:00 a.m. at the Margret & H.A. Rey Center in Waterville Valley’s Town Square. Margret and H.A. Rey, authors of the Curious George children’s book series and former summer residents of Waterville Valley, NH, were artists and adventurers, historians and naturalists, gardeners and stewards. Today their spirit lives on in the Margret and H.A. Rey Center, a non-profit organization dedicated to honoring the Reys’ legacy through art, science, and adventure programs for all ages. For more information please contact the Margret and H.A. Rey Center at www.thereycenter.org or 603-236-3308.

Eileen Beard AmeriCorps VISTA Public Relations and Development Coordinator Margret and H.A. Rey Center P.O. Box 286 Waterville Valley, NH 03215 (603) 236-3308 ebeard@thereycenter.org