"Thousands of miles of trails... and not one leads to your office"

So says the New Hampshire Bureau of Trails; now go check them out! The cool air of autumn is ideal to explore the active recreation opportunities in the parks and on the many trails of the Granite State. And the scenery may just take your breath away! Enjoy hiking and biking the trails in your area or explore the State Parks and Forests. Want to get more involved? Read on to learn how you can help keep our state trails beautiful and safe.

You can help maintain New Hampshire State Park trails through the Adopt-A-Trail program. Volunteers and organizations adopt and maintain non-motorized trails in the State Park and Forest system.

Adopters participate in a one-day skills development session and make a one year commitment to maintain the trail. See the Bureau of Trails for more information and the application form. Trails are currently up for adoption in Bear Brook State Park near Concord, and in Rollins and Winslow State Parks, both near Mount Kearsarge.

TIP: Make fitness part of a family outing and experience the natural resources of New Hampshire -- it is well worth the time.

Outdoors
We live in a beautiful state that offers many opportunities to get outside and explore--on foot, on skis, by bike, by canoe or kayak. Whether you're new to outdoor activities or have years of experience, our state has places to go, group events to join, and ways to learn new skills.

If it's been a long time since you left your chair, it's time to get up and out there again. If you're never actively explored the great New Hampshire outdoors, give it a try!

New Hampshire Division of Parks and Recreation Includes information on 72 state parks, campgrounds, waysides and natural areas, and historic sites.

New Hampshire State Park Facilities List offers details on permitted uses and accommodations.

New Hampshire Division of Parks and Recreation Bureau of Trails Information on motorized non-motorized trails for hiking, biking, cross country skiing, sled dog mushing, and equestrian use, as well as trails for snowmobiling and ATVs.

HikeSafe Site promotes safe hiking for all, from beginners to experienced outdoor enthusiasts. Information on planning, gear, weather, emergencies, wildlife, hiker responsibilities. sections for kids, parents and groups.

Appalachian Mountain Club New Hampshire Chapter AMC program calendar and events, lodging and huts, volunteer opportunities, and more.

Get Up New Hampshire! Looking for things to do and places to go in northern New Hampshire? Site includes information on fitness and exercise classes, outdoor activities, sports and leagues, and more.

Go Seacoast Looking for things to do and places to get active in the seacoast area?

• Nature offers listings of scenic spots, town & state parks, discovery centers, and walking and hiking.

• Sports offers a listing of places to fish, golf, walking/running events, arenas and more.

• Maritime helps you find places to launch recreational boats, beaches and more.

NH Biking Trails, maps, rules of the road and more.

Cross-country Skiing Find places to X-country ski in New Hampshire. This site also offers safety tips, resources and trail maintenance information.

Ski and Snow Hit the slopes on skis or boards, check snow conditions and more.

Whitewater Paddling Ammonoosuc to Wonalancet, everything you need to know about New Hampshire's whitewater venues.

New Hampshire Appalachian Mountain Club Paddlers All skill levels welcome. Offers trips, courses and instruction.

Golf Getting started, golf etiquette, where to golf in N.H. and more.

Tell us about your favorite outdoor recreation.

Reprinted with permission from the National Recreation and Park Association. www.nrpa.org

Park and recreation services play a vital role in creating active and healthy communities.

However, your community leaders may not be aware of the direct contribution that parks and recreation play in shaping community health.

Here are some facts that can be used to convey the health and physical activity benefits of parks and recreation. These facts are the result rigorous scientific studies across different age groups, communities, and across a variety of park and recreation services.

Did you know that...

• 2/3 of older adults who visit parks report moderate or high levels of physical activity during their visit.
• Active users of public parks have a lower body mass index (a ratio between weight and height) than did people who use parks passively or not at all.
• People who visited for longer periods of time (one hour or more) had significantly lower systolic blood pressures than those who only stayed for short periods of time (less than one hour).
• Park users who were more physically active and who made frequent contact with friends through their leisure time were less likely to report feeling depressed.
• Users of a community-based senior wellness program had significantly higher endurance levels, even after controlling for their level of physical activity.
• Stress relief, clearing one's mind, and exercise were the most common benefits that older adults attributed to their park visits.
• People who visited parks with companions (as opposed to visiting alone) reported significantly higher levels of physical health.
• Citizens who had better access to parks, visited parks more frequently, and engaged in physically-active park behaviors also made fewer visits to their doctor (for reasons other than a regular check-up).
• People who visited parks more frequently were more likely to have a positive perception of their general health.
• 50% of older adults who participated in light to moderate aerobic park activity reported being in a better mood after visiting parks.
• Research subjects who drove through a simulated park environment recovered more quickly from stressful situations than those who drove past a simulated environment dominated by built structures.
• Older adults who engaged in a broad repertoire of park and recreation activities were more likely to report higher levels of perceived physical health.

So go get healthy and explore the public parks in your town.