ittle Gem Spring and

First Day Hikes planned for New YearMarys attract a variety of birds. Left: Two boys fish at the spillway of Laura S. Walker Lake at the state park of the same name. Walker Lake at the state park of the same name as the Race Pond fire sends up a huge plume of smoke about five miles west. Firefighters tried to burn out fuel in front of the fire Sunday to keep it move moving into the Okefenokee Swamp or closer to Waycross. (Florida Times Union, Terry Dickson)Two decades ago, some hikers in Massachusetts had a great idea. They wanted to encourage people to get outdoors and enjoy their local state and national parks, and figured that doing it on Jan. 1 would be a great way to start the new year. Jason Peters JerseyThus was the First Day Hike program born. It has grown into a national movement, with hikes set up in parks in all 50 states. At the beginning of 2014, more than 27,000 people participated in First Day Hikes and that number only counts the people who registered.In Florida, events are planned at more than 30 state parks. Hikes are also planned at 39 state parks in Georgia.Here are some of the First Day Authentic Riley Cooper Jersey Hikes planned for parks in Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia.Suwannee River State Park: Three mile hike along the banks of the Suwannee River, with stops at Little Gem Spring and Balance Rock. $5 per vehicle.Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park: One mile guided hike on the edge of the flooded prairie basin. Pace is slow and guide will share Paynes Prairie history and lead a tour of the old Camp Ranch horse barn. $2 per person.Troy Spring State Park: Ranger guided hike along the park’s nature trail. Free with park entrance.Dudley Farm State Park: Birding tour, guided by the president of the Alachua Audubon Society, passes through cane field and back pastures. $5 per vehicle. Free with park admission.Ravine Gardens State Park: Ranger led hike on 1 mile of park trails, which include some steep inclines. $5 per vehicle.Itchetucknee Springs State Park: Start at the Head Spring and hike 2 miles along Fletcher Cox Eagles Jersey the Trestle Point and Pine Ridge trails. $6 per vehicle.Tomoka State Park: One mile hike that leads to the site of the Timucuan village of Nocoroco. Kids’ activities are set up along the way. Free with park admission.