Friends of South Whidbey State Park gave a late Christmas gift to any visitors to the park with a special winter work party in preparation for the second annual First Day Hikes on Jan. 1.

Standing water and tree debris from recent winter storms were found on Discovery Trail, where efforts were focused to ready the trail to be used for the family-friendly hike. Ten volunteers from South Whidbey and from Naval Air Station Whidbey were led by Ted Brookes of Friends of South Whidbey State Park and Senior Park Aide Sam Barrett.

Brookes, Barrett and the volunteers placed bark mulch on the wettest parts of the trails. They also cleared the trail of overhanging branches, overgrown plants, and fallen tree limbs. The Friends of South Whidbey State Park especially wanted to thank the five sailors from VAQ-209 squadron who gave up their Saturday morning to volunteer with us and to undertake the bulk of the work.

First Day Hikes are a statewide program of Washington State Parks, scheduled on the first day of the month. Participants Jan. 1 will take a 0.9-mile walk with an interpretive guide on Wilbert Trail. Children ages 5 and older are welcome. Coffee, hot cider and cookies will be available before and after the hikes. Participants will meet at 10 a.m. in front of the Range House.

For more information, call Sue Ellen White at 360-341-2434.