The Town of North Wilkesboro, North Wilkesboro Parks and Rec Department, the Wilkes Family YMCA, Yadkin River Greenway Council, The Health Foundation, and Wilkes Health invite families to Smoot Park or River’s Edge Greenway Trailheads on Saturday August 17, 2024 for a free guided hike and celebration of National TRACK Trails Day. This day of nature adventures began as part of a nationwide celebration of the Kids in Parks program’s. Kids in Parks is comprised of a network of TRACK Trails, which include Smoot Park, Jefferson Turnpike, Cub Creek Park, Mulberry Fields at West Park, W. Kerr Scott-Fisher’s Peak, Fort Hamby Park, and Rivers Edge. Each trail features a series of self-guided activities, which turn visits into fun and exciting outdoor experiences.
Join us for National TRACK Trail Day on Saturday, August 17, 2024, from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM, at Smoot Park and the River’s Edge Greenway Trailhead. The event will kick off with guided hikes beginning at 9:30 AM at both locations. The first 20 attendees at Smoot Park will receive a free day pass to Smoot Park Pool, while those at River’s Edge will get a complimentary YMCA day pass. Market Bucks will also be given out to the first 20 participants at each location and can be used at either the Wilkes County Farmers’ Market or the Wilkes Fresh Mobile Market. Volunteers will be on-site to help families in registering their hike at kidsinparks.com for a special National TRACK Trails Day sticker and other exciting prizes from Kids in Parks. Don’t miss out on this opportunity for outdoor fun!
TrailheadKids in Parks works to encourage children and parents to improve wellness by venturing outdoors and “unplugging” from the distractions of modern life. During a time when children have become increasingly disconnected from nature, the benefits of outdoor play can be dramatic and long-lasting. Studies have shown that children who play in natural settings have increased brain activity and higher SAT scores. They are likely to experience lower incidences of bullying, as well as decreased ADHD and depression. Not only do families benefit from being outdoors, but parks also benefit when people use them. Stronger connections between children and parks cultivate young stewards and advocates who understand the importance of public lands.
Kids in Parks began with the installation of a TRACK Trail on the Blue Ridge Parkway in Asheville, N.C., and was developed by the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation in partnership with the National Park Service and the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina Foundation. The program quickly expanded to additional parks and public lands across the country by demonstrating easy implementation and effectiveness.
Today, there are nearly 300 TRACK Trails across 18 states, Washington, D.C., and the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Nation, comprising a national network of trails where kids and families can hike, bike, canoe, play disc golf, and more, all while learning about the natural, cultural, and historical resources located at each site. Wilkes County is home to eight Kids in Parks TRACK Tails. When participants complete a trail, as a bonus, they can earn free prizes in the mail for registering Kids in Parks adventures online. To learn more, visit KidsinParks.com.