Free, Fun Activities at Trail Mix Celebration at Little Mulberry Park

Head outside and explore the trails as Gwinnett County Parks & Recreation celebrates National Trails Day! A huge success last year, this year’s Trail Mix Celebration will be held this Sat., June 7, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Little Mulberry Park (Hog Mountain Road entrance) in Dacula.

The day will begin with an equestrian trail ride for those with their own horses at 8 a.m., followed by the Gwinnett Parks Foundation’s two-mile Trail Mix Fun Run/Walk, which begins at 8:30 a.m. The entry fee for the fun run/walk is $10 per person, or $25 for a family of up to five people, and includes a commemorative t-shirt.

A 4.5-mile strenuous nature hike that will wind from one side of the 890-acre park to the other will begin at 9 a.m. Beginning at 10 a.m. free activities will be located throughout the park, including hayrides, a petting zoo, pony rides, make-and-take crafts, a rock climbing wall, Hikes for Tykes, as well as fun environmental, animal, outdoor, fishing, and educational programs. Food concessions will also be available for sale.

A shuttle to the park will be provided from Hamilton Mill United Methodist Church, located at 1450 Pine Road across the street from the park entrance.

To register for the Gwinnett Parks Foundation Trail Mix Fun Run/Walk, call 770-339-0203. Participants can also register at 8 a.m. on the day of the event.

Little Mulberry Park – Hog Mountain entrance is located at 3900 Hog Mountain Road in Dacula.

For more information call 770-822-8840 or visit www.gwinnettparks.com.

South Carolina Marks 75 Years Of Its State Parks, And Adds A Little Bit Of Rock And Roll

NAPSI-Who would have thought serene landscapes would lend themselves to adrenaline-pumping excitement? This year, the South Carolina state park system is celebrating its 75th anniversary with plenty of bells and whistles. Today, the dozens of beautiful parks throughout the state offer visitors a wide variety of environments to enjoy.

The South Carolina Forestry Commission was empowered by law in 1933 to begin building “state forest parks,” and soon after, the legendary Myrtle Beach State Park opened. Its beauty and location make it still one of the state’s most popular parks.

There are now 47 state parks in the system, offering serene settings and diverse diversions from the mountains to the sea, according to the agency that now oversees the operation, the South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism.

“An estimated 7 million people visit our state parks each year,” said S.C. State Park Service director Phil Gaines. “Our system comprises nearly 90,000 acres across the state and includes more than 3,000 campsites and 200 lodge rooms, cabins and villas.”

Rock On

Fun seekers coming to Myrtle Beach now have another type of park--the new Hard Rock Park--to give them something they’ve not experienced anywhere else. Several themed zones--Rock & Roll Heaven, Born in the USA, Cool Country and British Invasion--will offer five roller coasters. Led Zeppelin: The Ride is the park’s signature attraction, featuring “ultramodern, on-board audio” synchronized to the Zeppelin anthem “Whole Lotta Love.”

Then there’s Nights in White Satin: The Trip; the haunted-mine ride Midnight Rider; the London Cab Ride; Kids Rock! State Park, with kid-style rock climbing, bungee jumping and rope swings; and much more. Details can be found at www.hardrockpark.com.

As part of the celebration, each park is planning its own special event. More information about the parks and all their attractions are at www.SouthCarolinaParks.com.

Parks Rock: South Carolina’s state parks are celebrating 75 years with outdoor events every month. Also new, Hard Rock Park, the world’s first rock and roll theme park, in Myrtle Beach.