Ilia Fehrer-Judy Johnson Memorial Beach Walk
Wednesday, January 1, 2020
1 - 3 pm
Assateague Island State Park
1 - 3 pm
Assateague Island State Park
We are celebrating a 50 year tradition on January 1st. Join Assateague Coastal Trust on Wednesday, 1/1/20 for the Ilia Fehrer - Judy Johnson Memorial Beach Walk at Assateague Island State Park from 1 pm - 3 pm.
We will meet at the concession area of the State Park for a brief talk about the tradition walk that has become a part of the Maryland State Parks First Day Hikes.
Participants are asked to wear clothes and shoes appropriate for the weather (rain, snow or shine). Hot chocolate will be served on the concession deck following the walk. To save on disposables, please bring a mug for your hot chocolate.
This year the walks theme will borrow from the philosophy of ACT’s online journal, The Marsh. The Marsh resides as the philosophical voice of ACT, which is that to care about the environment, we have to fist immerse ourselves in, and experience our environment to better understand it on a scientific, and personal level.
The first Assateague Beach Walk was held on January 1, 1970. The newly formed Committee to Preserve Assateague Island hosted the inaugural event to draw attention to Assateague’s wild beauty. The committee was created by Ilia Fehrer, Judy Johnson and a few friends who had organized to rally against early plans for development of Assateague Island, which included a 25-mile highway and a number of commercial enterprises, and the Ocean Beach resort, much like Ocean City. A series of 1962 nor-easters interrupted construction, and eventually National and State Parks were established. The committee became the organization, Assateague Coastal Trust, who along with Assateague Island National Seashore and Assateague State Park sponsor the New Year’s Day walk each year. Dogs on a leash are welcome only as far as the boundary of the State Park (to the north of the boundary, dogs are not permitted).
We will meet at the concession area of the State Park for a brief talk about the tradition walk that has become a part of the Maryland State Parks First Day Hikes.
Participants are asked to wear clothes and shoes appropriate for the weather (rain, snow or shine). Hot chocolate will be served on the concession deck following the walk. To save on disposables, please bring a mug for your hot chocolate.
This year the walks theme will borrow from the philosophy of ACT’s online journal, The Marsh. The Marsh resides as the philosophical voice of ACT, which is that to care about the environment, we have to fist immerse ourselves in, and experience our environment to better understand it on a scientific, and personal level.
The first Assateague Beach Walk was held on January 1, 1970. The newly formed Committee to Preserve Assateague Island hosted the inaugural event to draw attention to Assateague’s wild beauty. The committee was created by Ilia Fehrer, Judy Johnson and a few friends who had organized to rally against early plans for development of Assateague Island, which included a 25-mile highway and a number of commercial enterprises, and the Ocean Beach resort, much like Ocean City. A series of 1962 nor-easters interrupted construction, and eventually National and State Parks were established. The committee became the organization, Assateague Coastal Trust, who along with Assateague Island National Seashore and Assateague State Park sponsor the New Year’s Day walk each year. Dogs on a leash are welcome only as far as the boundary of the State Park (to the north of the boundary, dogs are not permitted).
