The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission and Evergreen State Volkssport Association (ESVA) invite the public to participate in the ESVA Centennial 2013 State Parks Challenge.
The Centennial 2013 State Parks Challenge events will be held throughout 2013 all across Washington in celebration of State Parks’ 100th birthday. The year-long program challenges participants to walk through Washington state parks in the seven Evergreen Volkssport Association regions. The State Parks Challenge is open to everyone, but limited to the first 100 participants who register. Registration is $10 per person and includes a challenge stamp booklet, a logo hatpin and a pencil. Those who complete the challenge will receive a State Parks Centennial 2013 flag patch.
“Participants in the ESVA and in the Pacific Northwest are strong supporters of our environment,” said Diane Hildebrand, ESVA spokesperson. “We want to encourage walkers to visit all corners of the state and enjoy the beauty of our state parks. The 100-year celebration of State Parks seemed a perfect way to recognize the longevity of the State Parks system and support its continuation.”
For more information about the ESVA Centennial 2013 State Parks Challenge or to find a list of qualifying challenge walks, visit http://www.esva.org.
Volkssporting is a family-oriented sports and recreation program that promotes physical fitness and good health. Volkssport events are non-competitive walks, hikes, bike rides or swims and may include seasonal cross-country skiing or snowshoeing events. In Washington, walking or volksmarching is the most popular volkssport activity. Events occur year round and participants are not required to join a club to participate.
The ESVA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, registered as a non-profit corporation with the State of Washington and charted by the American Volkssport Association. The club promotes physical fitness through participation in volkssport events and the exchange of ideas, good will, friendship and cooperation among volkssport clubs and individuals. They coordination hundreds of events throughout the year. For more information, visit http://www.esva.org.
State Parks will be 100 years old on March 19, 2013. The fourth oldest state parks system in the nation, State Parks is celebrating their centennial milestone with events throughout 2013. For a full list of events, visit http://www.parks.wa.gov/events. Follow State Parks social media for the latest centennial celebration news at http://www.facebook.com/WashingtonStateParks and http://www.twitter.com/WaStatePks_NEWS.
Stay connected to your state parks by following Washington State Parks at http://www.facebook.com/WashingtonStateParks, http://www.twitter.com/WaStatePks_NEWS and http://www.youtube.com/WashingtonStateParks. Share your favorite state park adventure on the new State Parks’ blog site at http://www.AdventureAwaits.com.
The Commission manages a diverse system of more than 100 state parks and recreation programs, including long-distance trails, boating safety and winter recreation. The 99-year-old park system will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2013.
Support state parks by purchasing your annual Discover Pass today, and enjoy a whole year of outdoor fun on Washington’s beautiful state-managed recreation lands. For more information, visit http://www.discoverpass.wa.gov.
