State parks say take a First Day Hike

Prophetstown State Park wants you to start the new year with a hike — the First Day Hike.

On Jan 1, Indiana State Parks invite folks to join in a short hike to kick off the year. The parks have made the First Day hike an annual tradition for the past nine years, according to Angie Manuel, Interpretative Naturalist at Prophetstown.

“It’s just meant to ring in the new year, start a tradition,” Manuel said. “Get outside with your family, walk after you’ve eaten a whole lot.”

The hikes vary at the different parks. Some are during the daytime, some are at night; some are early morning bird-watching walks, and some are even “paddle” hikes, on the water.

The one-mile hike, which starts at 1 p.m., will last about an hour. It’s an easy hike — not challenging at all, stresses Manuel — and is appropriate for all ages. The pace will be easy, and there will lots of stops for taking in the scenery and hearing some background on the sights.

The First Day hikes are designed to get visitors to the park and to highlight what’s new. Prophetstown is a young state park, so it’s fun to see what is new and different, the changes that have happened in the past year.

This year the hike will meander through the prairie, and the group will get to see bluebird houses and hear about wood duck boxes, though they won’t be visible. These structures provide shelter for the birds. The group will also see a brand-new bat condo. All these structures were built by Brookston Boy Scout Isaac Culver, who made them for his Eagle Scout project.

The bat condo in particular is an immense structure. At 10 feet off the ground, it looks like a giant treehouse and is large enough to house 1,000 bats, providing needed space for a large bat colony.

“It is a monster,” said Manuel. “It’s our hope that we can attract bats to this area and give them a quality roosting space.” Bat numbers in the area are dwindling; proper housing may help lure them back, helping balance out the ecosystem, which suffers without bats. Culver’s project helps with conservation and education.

Members of the Sycamore Audubon Society will be joining the hike as well, so there will be an opportunity to do some birding.

The hike will come back around and go by the Native American village, a recreation of the types of settlements that would have been plentiful in the 19th century. Visitors will see a new conical-shaped structure that is like one of the original Native American structures that would have been part of the village. They’ll also see the re-chinked medicine lodge.

At the conclusion of the hike, back at the Council House, everyone is welcome to stay for hot drinks, s’mores and socializing.

“It’s very family friendly,” said Manuel. “Just come and enjoy yourself.”

The hike serves multiple purposes: getting people out and into the park, and highlighting history, Boy Scouts and volunteerism, said Manuel.

The hike starts at 1 p.m. Monday, Jan. 1, at the Visitor Center — rain or shine. There is no charge for the hike and no gate fee. Guests are encouraged to dress for the weather and are welcome to bring binoculars. Manuel is looking forward to an enjoyable afternoon out in the park.

“There’s a little bit of something for everyone,” said Manuel.

For more information, visit www.InterpretiveServices.IN.gov.