6. First Day Hike at Shirley Chisholm State Park
To kickstart the new year on the right foot head to Shirley Chisholm State Park for the third annual First Day Hike. Throughout the hike, guests will enjoy the sights and sounds of Jamaica Bay while exploring both the Pennsylvania and Fountain sides of the park. Measuring around 4.5 miles, the hike is scheduled to last approximately 2.5 to 3 hours.
The excursion will be led by the park’s education team. Registration beforehand can be completed by calling (718) 277-2420 ext. 5003. In addition to Shirley Chisholm, first-day guided and self-guided first-day hikes will be held at various other state parks across New York. Walks are designed to be family-friendly and typically range from one to five miles depending on the location and conditions. Other first-day hikes in the area will be located in Staten Island at the Clay Pit Ponds State Park and Mount Loretto Unique Area (DEC).
