MORRIS TWP., NJ - The Alliance for Morris County Parks has announced receipt of a grant from Recreational Equipment Incorporated (REI) in the amount of $5000 to support National Trails Day 2012 for the Morris County Park Commission. Three events will be held the morning of June 2, 2012 and participants can walk, hike, bike, and work on trail projects. The events will be held at Pyramid Mountain Natural Historic Area in Montville, Old Troy County Park in Parsippany, and the Roxbury/Randolph portion of the West Morris Greenway. There will be light refreshments and giveaways for participants. All hikes will have leaders or trail marshals. The day will also be an introduction to the trail volunteer opportunities available throughout the year with the Morris County Park Commission.

On National Trails Day, June 2, 2012, a hike will be held through the forested beauty of Pyramid Mountain Natural Historic Area, as well as a possible trail project. At Old Troy County Park there will be a scheduled walk, hike, and trail building project. The West Morris Greenway will have a newly completed section of trail for hiking, and also a bike hike. Participants interested in the West Morris Greenway activities will meet at Horseshoe Lake in Roxbury.

REI has been a partner of the Morris County Park Commission since they moved to East Hanover. Staff volunteer days have been scheduled in the parks and the Park Commission hosts a variety of Outdoor School classes coordinated by REI staff. Additional volunteer opportunities available at the Morris County Park Commission for individuals, families, and group volunteer trail projects are available through the Adopt-A- Trail program, as well as opportunities for volunteer days to be arranged for groups such as business teams or Scouts. Projects for Eagle Scouts and Girl Scout Gold Awards have also been arranged.

National Trails Day launched in 1993 when the American Hiking Society joined other organizations to take on the challenge issued in a report to President Ronald Reagan in 1987 that Americans should be able to walk out their front door and, within 15 minutes, be on a trail. Trails do not just happen. It takes many hours of planning and projects. National Trails Day is a celebration of trails, increasing awareness of the hard work of

many people to bring us this wonderful resource and to introduce people to the many benefits of trails.

For more details on the Morris County Park Commission’s National Trails Day programs, check out our website at www.morrisparks.net. For more information on the Alliance for Morris County Parks, go to www.parkallaince.net.

Denise Lanza, Director of Development

B: 973-326-7615, DLanza@morrisparks.net

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The Morris County Park Commission, the largest park system in the state of New Jersey,

currently protects and maintains 18,500 acres at 38 distinct sites

and a year-round calendar of events and activities.