Lake Whitney State Park
Lake Whitney State Park to Host Guided Nature Walk on January 18th
Lake Whitney State Park, Hill County, Texas –Lake Whitney State Park is hosting a guided nature walk on January 18, 2014 from 10:00 until 11:30 a.m. on the Two Bridges Trail, next to the Recreation Hall.
The theme of the hike will be related to health. The topics will include local flora and fauna that could potentially contribute to or take away from human health, managing natural resources for ecosystem health and a discussion of how state parks can contribute to physical fitness and wellness.
Hiking is the January 2014 Outdoor Activity of the Month in Texas State Parks. According to Park Superintendent Chris Bishop, “Many of us begin each New Year with health and fitness related resolutions, and hiking is a great way for families to meet those resolutions together. Studies have shown that hiking has a positive effect on weight management, decreasing hypertension and improving mental health. In the words of Dr. Paul Dudley White, ‘A vigorous five-mile walk will do more good for an unhappy but otherwise healthy adult than all the medicine and psychology in the world.’”
Lake Whitney State Park offers two hiking trails, the 1.1-mile Towash Forest Trail and the .9-mile Two Bridges Trail.
Bishop advises that the State Parks Trails Improvement Program has agreed to support Lake Whitney State Park by developing additional recreational trails over the next two to three years. Bishop estimates that the additions to the trail system will range between 2.5- and 6-miles of additional trails.
The guided hike is free for any participant who has a valid entrance permit for the day. Entrance permits are available from Park Headquarters for $5.00 per person for everyone 13 or older. Children 12 or under are free. Entrance fees are also covered by a valid Texas State Parks Pass.
Lake Whitney State Park is a 775-acre parcel of public land managed by Texas Parks & Wildlife Department to conserve natural and cultural resources, provide recreational and educational opportunities, and foster an understanding of the diversity of Texas’ lands and heritage for all generations.
For more information about Lake Whitney State Park or this release, please contact Chris Bishop, (254) 694-3793, email –christopher.bishop@tpwd.texas.gov, or join the park’s Facebook fan site.
