Start 2017 With A Hike At Prairie Grove’s Battlefield Trail

Visitors are encouraged to start their new year surrounded by the beautiful, historic scenery of Prairie Grove Battlefield State Park. Laura Jennings, park interpreter, gives a free guided walk along the park’s one-mile Battlefield Trail or visitors can take a self- guided walk any time throughout the day, using the “Prairie Grove Battlefield Trail” pamphlet.

The First Day Hike will begin at 10 a.m. on Sunday, Jan. 1, with participants meeting at the Battlefield Trailhead, located to the left of the Latta Barn. Participants will enjoy exercise enriched by an interpretive look into the history and heroism intrinsic to Prairie Grove Battlefield.

After exploring the rich history along the one-mile loop, participants are invited to join Jennings at the Latta Kitchen to share snacks and resolutions for the new year. Participants will also have the opportunity to take the “125- mile challenge” for 2017, a new self- guided program designed to honor the 125-mile forced march of General Herron’s Union men to Prairie Grove.

“All 50 states are offer- ing First Day Hikes in state parks across the country as a way to promote healthy lifestyles and year- round outdoor recreation. In my short time at Prairie Grove Battlefield State Park, I have observed numerous people using the Battlefield Trail as a part of their daily and weekly exercise routines,” said Jennings.

“I would love to share this experience with our visitors and orient them to the historically significant points along this trail. This is a great opportunity to make this one-mile loop a healthy staple of your new year.”

For more details about Prairie Grove Battlefield State Park’s First Day Hike event, please visit website at www.ArkansasStateParks.com/PraireGroveBattlefield or contact Laura Jennings at laura.jennings@arkansas.gov or call 479-846-2990.