Since 1993, National Trails Day has been celebrated annually on the first Saturday, June 7, 2008 . National Trails Day is focused on specific goals; raising awareness of trails and Trails for All Americans, building partnerships and alliances that work together beyond National Trails Day, and broadening the constituency for trails. This annual event has grown from a handful of grassroots events in 1993 to over 3,000 events across the country.

The unifying idea of National Trails Day is Trails for All Americans, a plan to establish a nationwide network of trails that comes within 15 minutes of every American. These pathways would link together as part of the nation’s infrastructure of greenways, like the interstate highway system. Through National Trails Day local trail clubs, the outdoor business community, and local, state, and federal government agencies are joining together to make this plan a reality.

The Somerset County Park Commission will be taking part in the celebration in an attempt to improve and maintain our many miles of trails, as well as, to educate people about hiking, biking, and the trails that surround them. In recognition of National Trails Day, the Park Commission’s Park Ranger Division will be hosting a trail maintenance project at Washington Valley Park in Bridgewater. The project is scheduled for Saturday, June 7, 2008 between 9am and 2pm. Washington Valley Park, though undeveloped, contains trails utilized by pedestrians and mountain bikers. Several trail maintenance projects have already been held there, however, there is still more work to be done. Due to the types of tools that will be used at the site, we request that you bring a pair of work gloves, and sturdy boots.