Reprinted from Daily Advance

SOUTH MILLS — Unlike past First Day Hikes at Dismal Swamp State Park, Wednesday’s didn’t include a guided tour by a park ranger.

But that didn’t seem to matter to the couples, families and friend groups who showed up for the annual Jan. 1 event designed to showcase state parks and get more people outdoors to enjoy them.

John Wray and Jennifer Chavez, both of Virginia Beach, Virginia, said they were visiting a friend in the area when they remembered that the First Day Hike is an annual event at Dismal Swamp State Park.

Because they enjoy visiting state parks in Virginia, they decided to explore the park just below the state line.

“We’ve visited First Landing (State Park), Kiptopeke (State Park)” in Virginia, Chavez said. “We’re trying to get to as many as possible. We are trying to visit all 42 or 43 state parks in Virginia. This is our first time here at this park in North Carolina.”

James and Amy Kermitz of Tyner also enjoy visiting state parks. They said they were participating in their second straight First Day Hike.

“Last year we went to Merchants Mill Pond Park” in Gates County, Amy Kermitz said. “We haven’t been on this one in quite a while. We like to hike a couple of times a year when the weather is nice. We walk a lot.”

Terry Hutson said he showed up for the First Day Hike because he wanted to enjoy the peace and quiet and the amazing sights and sounds in the park. In addition to the exercise he gets from hiking, park visits also allow him to practice his photography skills, he said.

He participated in last year’s First Day Hike at Dismal Swamp Park and has kayaked the Dismal Swamp Canal during the summer.

“It’s good to get out in nature — nature does you a lot of good,” he said. “A nice casual walk, nothing too strenuous. To get out here, soak it all in — it’s calming. … It’s my goal to do more of that this year.”

Lauren Ross brought along to Wednesday’s First Day Hike her 3-year-old son, 10-month-old daughter, her sister and brother in-law.

“We’ve come every year since my son was born so now we are bringing the newest one to get her First Day Hike sticker like (my son) got his in his first year,” Ross said. “We’re going to save them in their memory boxes.”

Ross’ sister, Kaitlen Holman, of Chesapeake, Virginia, was busy scouring the scavenger hunt sheet that visitors were issued at the park’s visitor center on Wednesday. The list contained a list of clues that helped visitors complete a self-paced scavenger hunt in the park.

She said park visitors who passed up the scavenger hunt just to enjoy a morning of exercise missed a good event.

“They are missing the beauty of everything, getting out on the first day of the year and starting off on the right foot,” Holman said.

Tim Aydlett, president of Friends of Dismal Swamp State Park, greeted visitors as they arrived at the park’s visitor center. The all-volunteer group was serving free hot chocolate as well as passing out the scavenger hunt lists. Park officials estimated about 150 people took part in the First Day Hike at the park.

“All of our 41 state parks in North Carolina are having a First Day Hike today,” he said. “I’ve been involved in several of them in the past. The goal is to get people outdoors and enjoy our naturally wonderful state park.”

Aydlett shared a few tips for hikers who hoped to see examples of the park’s wildlife on their trek.

“I’ve seen some wildlife on other days much farther away in the park, farther away from here (the visitor center),” he said. “What I’ve heard lately is the prothonotary warbler, that little yellow bird that makes a lot of racket.”

It’s also important to speak in a low voice — or not at all — when you’re hiking.

“If you’re hoping to see wildlife, you must be quiet when you’re walking,” Aydlett said. “You can’t talk and laugh loud and expect to see wildlife.”

The Daily Advance is a newspaper based in Elizabeth City that serves Chowan, Camden, Currituck, Pasquotank and Perquimans counties. Coastal Review is partnering with The Daily Advance to provide readers with more stories of interest about our coast.

Of the $7.6 million awarded last month to state-managed lands, $600,000 goes to Dismal Swamp State Park in Camden County to construct an equipment storage building.

The funding from the Parks and Recreation Trust Fund for fiscal year 2024-25 was allocated by the nine-member Parks and Recreation Authority at their November meeting. North Carolina State Parks and Recreation announced the awards Thursday.

Barnes Sutton, representing Brunswick County, was reappointed to a three-year term and was sworn in during the meeting. Sutton is director of economic and community development director for Leland.

“Funding from the Parks and Recreation Trust Fund to expand and enhance state parks plays a vital role in preserving North Carolina’s remarkable natural areas, while also offering outdoor recreation and educational experiences throughout the state,” said D. Reid Wilson, secretary of the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. “We are grateful for the continued financial support from the General Assembly and Governor Roy Cooper.”

Located at the northeast border of North Carolina and Virginia, the Dismal Swamp State Park offers hiking, biking, paddling, fishing and birdwatching opportunities, access to the Great Dismal Swamp, “the largest remaining swamp in the eastern United States,” and the 22-mile Dismal Swamp Canal, according to the state parks system.

Including the building to house trail maintenance and canal system equipment at Dismal Swamp State Park, $6.4 million of the $7.6 million in funds will go to renovations and other projects at Carvers Creek State Park in Cumberland County, Stone Mountain State Park in Wilkes County, Elk Knob State Park in Ashe County, and Bob’s Creek State Natural Area in McDowell County.

The two land acquisition projects totaling $1.23 million will add 2,410 acres to the Wilderness Gateway State Trail in McDowell County and 1.7 acres to the William B. Umstead State Park in Wake County.

In addition, $2.2 million will go to repairs and preventative maintenance at parks throughout the system.

The state receives 65% of the fund’s annual appropriation and revenue for state parks projects and projects at the DuPont Recreational State Forest. North Carolina State Parks is under the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, which manages more than 100 locations across the state.

North Carolina Division of Parks and Recreation officials have closed all state parks west of the interstate that connects Mount Airy to Charlotte, and canceled all programs through the end of the month, aside from a few on the coast.

Dismal Day is still scheduled to take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 12, at Dismal Swamp State Park, as well as Fear at the Fort the last two weekends of this month at Fort Macon State Park, and a Schools in Parks training Oct. 26 at Carolina Beach State Park.

The division said it is scaling back operations across the state that will allow staff to continue assisting with the statewide emergency and rescue efforts in Western North Carolina, in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. About 30 staff have been deployed on law enforcement assignments requested through the North Carolina Emergency Operations Center.

The state parks west of Interstate 77 closed through at least Oct. 31 are Chimney Rock, Crowders Mountain, Elk Knob, Gorges, Grandfather Mountain, Lake James, Lake Norman, Mount Mitchell, New River, South Mountains, and Stone Mountains state parks, as well as Mount Jefferson State Natural Area and Rendezvous Mountain.

All reservations for campsites and other facilities such as picnic shelters at western state parks through Oct. 31 have been canceled and refunded in full.

“The devastation brought by Helene in many communities across western North Carolina has been profound,” State Parks Director Brian Strong said. “The entire division wants to provide whatever assistance we can to our neighbors and to these areas that were hit hardest. We want to prioritize our resources, both staff and equipment, towards immediate and lifesaving needs.”

Additionally, closing these parks can help limit travel in the area while roads and other infrastructure are repaired and replaced.

State park rangers are sworn law enforcement officers, and many park field staff such as rangers and maintenance technicians are certified as emergency medical responders, trained to operate chainsaws and large equipment, and possess a commercial driver’s license.

“In the last few days alone, we have seen the entire state come together to support each other during this difficult time,” Strong said. “We know our parks are beloved by North Carolinians, but we also know our visitors are eager to help those who are grieving and those who have lost so much because of this storm.”

Once the vital needs of post-storm recovery efforts have been met, staff will focus on recreational facilities at parks, including trails, visitor centers, and campsites. Staff will assess conditions, clear downed trees, and address any remaining safety hazards before reopening to the public.