Trails & Sails: A Weekend of Walks and Water offers more than 100 FREE events in celebration of cultural, natural and historic resources north of Boston

The Essex National Heritage Commission (ENHC) is presenting the third annual Trails & Sails: A Weekend of Walks and Water, September 25 and 26, 2004. The weekend will feature 121 events at 57 sites - from dory rides and whale watches to hikes and bike rides - highlighting the diversity of historic, cultural and natural resources found within the Essex National Heritage Area, just north of Boston. All events are FREE.

Salem, MA (PRWEB) August 2, 2004 -- The Essex National Heritage Commission (ENHC) is presenting the third annual Trails & Sails: A Weekend of Walks and Water, September 25 and 26, 2004. The weekend will feature 121 events at 57 sites, highlighting the diversity of historic, cultural and natural resources found within the Essex National Heritage Area.

More than 30 new events have been added to the line up this year, including a tour of the historic Cape Pond Ice Company in Gloucester, hunting for wild edibles in Essex, and a walk and bike ride to Lawrences Great Stone Dam. Involving historic, cultural and community organizations as well as recreation-based businesses, the weekend will feature events for every age, skill level and interest and will include guided tours, hikes, walks, sails, paddles and a events such as an old-time baseball game.

This is our third year and the success of the event has definitely caught on," said Annie Harris, ENHC Executive Director. We are pleased to be able to offer so many new events this year, many that arent available at any other time. Virtually all of the sites and organizations that participated last year have returned and many have taken the time to developed new walks and events just for Trails & Sails. Sites have also been very cooperative in helping us space events throughout the day, offering early morning as well as evening options. The end result is a wonderful mix of activities spanning both days. There truly will be 'something for everyone."

Other new events this year include walking tours led by Gloucesters First Lady" Jan Bell and Amesburys Mayor David Hildt, a letter-boxing (aka treasure hunt) trek through Andover, and the Coastal Rover Project which will send participants off on specially equipped mountain bikes to explore the proposed Coastal Trails Network of bike and pedestrian trails through Amesbury, Newbury, Newburyport and Salisbury.

The ENHC has produced a detailed Trails & Sails brochure with event descriptions, times and any restrictions dictated by the event or the location. Some events do have space restrictions and are available on a first come, first serve basis. Most Trails & Sails events will be held rain or shine but some may be cancelled at the discretion of the provider.

For more information or to receive a Trails & Sails brochure with descriptions and times for all events, please visit the ENHC website at www.essexheritage.org, or call 978-740-0444.

Essex National Heritage Commission
The Essex National Heritage Commission (ENHC) is a non-profit management entity whose mission is to preserve and promote the historic, cultural and natural resources of the Essex National Heritage Area. Established in 1996, the Essex National Heritage Area is one of twenty-three heritage partnership parks of the National Park Service acknowledged by Congress for their capacity to describe nationally important stories about the development of our nation. For more information about the ENHC, visit www.essexheritage.org or call 978-740-0444.

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