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Jim Meisener Jr.

RICHMOND

When Gov. Ralph Northam declared June 2018 as Great Outdoors Month, he recognized the importance of the outdoors in Virginia. Virginia state parks are the premiere outdoor recreation destination for 10 million visitors annually.

“June is always a busy time for Virginia State Parks, but parks will be really hopping this month with special programs, projects and activities,” said Virginia State Parks Director Craig Seaver. “From swimming to camping, cabins to hiking, there’s so much for visitors to see and do in our state parks.”

Virginia state parks again participate in the American Hiking Society’s annual National Trails Day, June 2. All 37 parks will offer trail programs, volunteer projects or both to help maintain some of the 600 miles of hiking, biking or horseback riding trails.

For a list of park activities, visit https://vasp.fun/2018NTD.

June 2 was also the 30th annual Clean the Bay Day, sponsored by the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. State parks in the Chesapeake Bay watershed will offer programs that improve the bay through awareness and volunteer projects.

The Virginia State Parks Get Outdoors Challenge https://vasp.fun/GetOutdoors] also is in full swing. Visit five parks through June 30 and earn an annual parking pass. The Get Outdoors Photo Contest also runs until June 30. Go to https://vasp.fun/photocontest for details.

JIM MEISENER JR. is the senior public relations and marketing specialist for the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation. Contact him at 804-786-8442 or jim.meisner@dcr.virginia.gov.