National Take a Hike Day is November 17, a day to encourage your community to get outside and take a hike. To some, hiking may sound like a daunting task that involves a long drive to a faraway place. As park and recreation professionals know best, people don’t have to go far to enjoy a great hike. Local parks and trails are the perfect places for everyone to experience the benefits of nature, take a hike and discover the great outdoors. That’s why this year, NRPA is proud to support Merrell’s #HikeYourTurf campaign. This campaign focuses on encouraging everyone to get outside and explore their local trails, which we know is more important than ever!

We also know that many communities lack access to quality spaces to get out and enjoy the outdoors. That’s why NRPA is committed to supporting park and recreation professionals and communities to advocate for fair and just access to park spaces that welcome all people to take a hike right in their own neighborhood.

Join us in promoting local parks as great places to take a hike and enjoy the great outdoors, and to ensuring that everyone has a great park close to home. Download the campaign toolkit here and ask your community members to explore local trails, then post photos or videos on social media using the hashtag #HikeYourTurf. For every post using the hashtag #HikeYourTurf by November 17, 2020, Merrell will donate $1 to NRPA to ensure that everyone has access to a great hike!

Rachel Banner is NRPA's Director of Park Access.