New Year's Day Hikes Planned At Sandy Point, Patapsco State Parks

MARYLAND — Maryland parks will celebrate the New Year with first-day hikes. Some of the top events will be at Sandy Point State Park in Annapolis and Patapsco State Park in Catonsville. Plus, environmentalists offered tips on Christmas tree recycling.

Patch recently partnered with several local organizations to bring you their latest news. This guest contribution comes from National Park Service Chesapeake Gateways and Chesapeake Conservancy. Here's what Jody Hedeman Couser submitted to help you explore the Chesapeake Bay:

"Sandy Point Choose Your Adventure Hike

Become a Park Planner on this self-guided, choose your own adventure hike where the path you take and the decisions you make help to create your dream park. Hikes are available Saturday, January 1 and Sunday, January 2. Start in the East Beach Area at the Osprey Pavilion. Pets on a leash are welcome. A [smartphone] with the Google Classroom app will be needed to complete the hike’s activities. Park entrance fee is $3/vehicle, payable at the Autotoll. Jan. 1 and 2; Sandy Point State Park, Annapolis, MD. More information."

"Kids New Year’s Eve Hike and More at Patapsco Valley State Park

This is a kid-friendly alternative to a traditional First Day Hike. The Patapsco Mobile Visitor Center will be on site[,] and Discovery Packs will be available to help you and your little ones start your year off right[,] all while keeping to a bedtime schedule. Bring a flashlight and join in for a "NYE Countdown." Park entrance fee is $2/vehicle, payable at the Honor Box. Dec. 31, 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm; Patapsco Valley State Park - Hilton Area, Catonsville, MD. More information and registration. Note: A regular First Day Hike will take place on Jan. 1 at 10:00 am or you can Choose Your Own Quest and hike the newly adapted Tall Poplar Trail at McKeldin on Jan. 2 from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. More information."

"Susquehanna State Park

Enjoy a self-guided, 4.4 mile round trip hike along the Susquehanna River. The trail is marked with Greenways emblems every .5 miles ... and runs from the Conowingo Dam to Stafford Road near the Deer Creek Picnic Area. This is an easy trail with beautiful views of the river. Leashed pets are welcome; not stroller/wheelchair accessible. Jan. 1, Susquehanna State Park, Darlington, MD. More information.

Did you know? Conowingo is listed by the Audubon Society as one of the top five hotspots for photographing bald eagles? Conowingo’s proximity to [live-action] thrills attracts large crowds during the late fall through spring. Check out photographer Michael Weiss' Photographing the Conowingo Eagles."

"First Day Wandering Artist Trail – Tuckahoe Complex

The Wandering Artist Trail will debut for First Day Hikes in the Tuckahoe Complex. This is a self-guided hike on the Tockwogh Trail at Sassafras Natural Resources Management Area in Kent County. The easy 2-mile round trip hike takes you along the quail habitat and through the woods. Grab your canvas and your pencils and follow the signage that encourages everyone to embrace their inner artist while appreciating all the beauty nature has to offer. The Wandering Artist Trail will remain on the Tockwogh Trail for the month of January and then will be relocated for new artistic inspiration! Jan. 1, Sassafras NRMA, Kennedyville, MD. More information."

"More First Day Hiking Ideas

We’ve included some really great hiking events for the Chesapeake Bay Watershed, but there’s lots more covered in our Find Your Chesapeake blogs. Writer/hiker, Saki, actually loves hiking in the winter because it’s less crowded and mountain top views are even better with clear winter skies and the foliage gone. A couple of his favorites are Annapolis Rock, Dan’s Mountain State Park, and hiking through the history of Patapsco Valley State Park. In Pennsylvania’s Blue Knob State Park[,] you can try some trails suggested by Virgil Chambers while in pursuit of a winter sighting of wild turkeys. If wintering waterfowl are more your thing, you could try Woodmarsh Trail in Elizabeth Hartwell Mason Neck National Wildlife Refuge in Lorton, Virginia."

"Recycling Your Holiday Tree

When the holidays are over, don’t throw away your Christmas tree, recycle it! Give a new purpose to your real Christmas tree after the holidays by putting your tree outside after decorating it with edible citrus ornaments or all-natural popcorn strings to feed birds and squirrels, creating a winter brush pile for wildlife, enriching your soil by chopping the tree into bits adding insulation and enrichment to your garden bed, or donating it to tree recycling programs. Where and how to recycle or dispose of Christmas trees:

Maryland
Virginia
Pennsylvania."

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