Gardner joins DCR's First Day Hikes on New Year's Day - how you can participate

Start the New Year with a free guided hike at Dunn State Park in Gardner hosted by the Department of Conservation and Recreation on Monday, Jan. 1.

This is the 33rd annual First Day Hike in Massachusetts. 13 DCR-owned state parks will participate in the free guided hike to encourage families and residents to visit their local outdoor recreation area.

Registration for the Dunn State Park First Day guided hike starts at 9 a.m. in the Pond House. The hike begins at 10 a.m. and will follow a 1.5-mile trail. After the hike, hot chocolate will be served to hikers.

Major Nicholson said this will be the first time the City of Gardner is participating in the First Day Hike. Unfortunately, Nicholson said he would miss the guided hike.

"It's a nice way to kick off the new year and encourage families and friends to get out and enjoy Gardner's Dunn State Park," he said. "A small campfire will be lit, and hot chocolate for people will be handed out after the hike."

More: Check out these hidden gems in Greater Gardner

History of First Day Hike

The annual tradition, anticipated by hiking enthusiasts nationwide, started on New Year's Day 1992 when 400 hikers met at the Blue Hills Reservation in Milton,. The Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation established the event to promote state parks and what they offer to residents and to encourage locals to visit the parks.

In 2012, the event expanded to all 50 states with the endorsement of America's State Parks.

“First Day Hikes brings people of all ages, backgrounds, and demographics together with a common goal of starting their year off at our state parks,” Governor Maura Healey said in a press release. “We are proud to continue this cherished tradition that encourages communities to come together, take in fresh air, and experience the beauty of our state.”

State park officials expect thousands of residents nationwide to partake in the First Day Hike event.

Other State Parks that are participating

If you'd like a change of scenery, then here is a list of the 12 other Massachusetts state parks hosting a First Day Hike event.

A two to three-mile guided hike is hosted by Breakheart Reservation at 177 Forest St. in Saugus. The hike begins at 10 a.m. and hikers need to meet at the Christopher P. Dunne visitor center. After the hike hot chocolate and clam chowder will be served by the fire in the visitor center. Friends of Breakheart are co-sponsors of the event.

Halibut Point State Park at 4 Gott Ave. in Rockport plans to host a three-mile hike for First Day Hike. The guided hike starts at 10 a.m. and all hikers need to meet at the parking lot at 9 a.m. Friends of Halibut Point State Park co-sponsored the event.

A 1.5-mile or 3-mile guided hike and bike ride is hosted by the Middlesex Fells Reservation at 4 Woodland Rd in Stoneham. Both the hike and bike ride start at 10 a.m. To participate in the guided hike, meet at the Botume House, and to do the guided bike ride, meet at the Marjam Lot. Hot chocolate will be served in the Botume House after the hike. Friends of the Middlesex Fells and The New England Mountain Bike Association co-sponsored the event.

Walden Pond State Reservation at 915 Walden St. Concord, plans to host a First Day Hike event beginning at noon. For the one-mile guided-hike participants need to meet at the Thoreau House Replica. After the hike hot chocolate will be served to hikers.

A mile-guided hike in the Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research Reserved at 131 Waquoit Highway in East Falmouth begins at 10 a.m. All participants need to meet at the visitor center. After the hike hot chocolate will be served in the visitor center.

The state park that started the nationwide event, Blue Hills Reservation at 840 Hillside St. Milton, MA begins its First Day Hike at noon. Hikers need to meet at Houghton's Pond Recreation Area at 11 a.m. After the hike hot chocolate will be served. Friends of the Blue Hills co-sponsors the event.

Blackstone River and Canal Heritage State Park at 287 Oak St. in Uxbridge plans to host a two-mile guided hike at 10 a.m. Registration starts at 9 a.m. at the River Bend Farm Visitor Center. After the hike, hot chocolate is served to hikers.

For the annual First Day Hike event, Willard Brooke State Forest at 599 Main St., Townsend will host a 1.5-mile guided hike. All hikers need to gather at the park headquarters for registration starting at 9 a.m. Hot chocolate will be served after the hike at the park headquarters.

A two-mile hike for the First Day Hike event is hosted by Wachusett Reservoir at 167 Temple St. off Route 140 in West Boylston. The hike starts at 11 a.m. and all who want to join the guided hike need to meet at Gate 22 on Rt 140 at 10 a.m.

Great Falls Discovery Center at 2 Avenue A in Turners Falls plans to host a three-mile guided hike starting at 1 p.m. All hikers wanting to participate in the First Day Hike must meet at the Great Hall in the visitor center. After the hike hot chocolate will be served in the visitor center. Friends of the Great Falls Discovery Center co-sponsored the event.

A two-mile guided hike will be held at Chester Blandford State Forest at 631 U.S. Route 20 starting at 10 a.m. Hikers need to meet at the Sanderson Brook Falls Parking lot if they want to participate. Western MA Hilltown Hikers Co-sponsors the event.

Mount Greylock State Reservation at 30 Rockwell Rd, Lanesborough, will have a two-mile hike starting at 10 a.m. Hot chocolate is served after the hike in the visitor center.

Will the weather allow hiking?

According to the 7-day forecast posted by the National Weather Service at Norton, partly sunny with a high near 37 degrees and West winds between nine miles per hour to 13 mph is predicted on Monday, Jan. 1.

There is a low chance of rain on New Year's Day across the state according to the NWS.

This article originally appeared on Gardner News: First Day Hike at Dunn State Park in Gardner