Newtown Hikers is an open group welcoming anyone interested in hiking and the outdoors. There is no membership fee.

Hikes are Saturday mornings, with the group leaving from the lower rear parking lot of Edmond Town Hall, 45 Main Street, at 10 am. Departure to each week's location is by 10:10.

Hikers participate at their own risk and must sign a release for the Parks and Recreation Department. For additional information about each hike, call the listed leader. To meet the group at a different point or if weather is doubtful the morning of a planned event, call the listed leader. Extreme snow or ice conditions will cancel a hike. For those who register in advance, e-mails are sent by 8 am the morning of a hike when plans need to be changed due to weather.

All hikes are moderate and last three to five hours plus driving time unless otherwise stated; winter hikes are usually shorter and earlier than fall and spring, however, according to coordinator Sally Cox.

Children are welcome accompanied by adults. Participants should bring a lunch and beverages. Sturdy shoes or boots are recommended, as is a traction device for boots; dress for the weather. Hiking poles are also helpful.

Dogs are welcome, but must be leashed at all times. Some trails do not allow dogs, so check with each week's hike leader before joining the group.

For further information contact Ms Cox, 203-426-9903 or 203-830-9032 or newtownhikers@gmail.com, or Parks & Rec, 203-270-4340.

The group's 2018 winter season, with hike leaders in parentheses, has been set as follows

January 6, Fairfield Hills, easy, woodsy hike will take participants across Wasserman Way to trail in back of Governor's Horse Guard property, additional walking loop optional (hike leader is Sally Cox, 203-830-9032);

January 13, Lilly Preserve, Roxbury (Christa Troiani, 203-751-0297);

January 20, Old Mine Park, Trumbull (Irene Jutnas, 203-556-2933);

January 27, Bassett Preserve, Southbury (Linda Dunn, 203-207-1765);

February 3, trail TBA (Lorraine Branecky, 203-426-2372);

February 10, Platt Farm, Southbury (Christa Troiani, 203-751-0297);

February 17, Williams Park, Brookfield (Sally Cox, 203-830-9032);

February 24, Upper Paugussett, Newtown (Carol Fullman, 203-270-1747);

March 3, Tarrywile Park, Trail TBA, Danbury (Jim Steck, 845-621-5559);

March 10, TBA;

March 17, Ridgefield Community Center Trail (Lorna Jones, 203-438-7963);

March 24, TBA; and

March 31, segments of Al's Trail in Sandy Hook, then potluck lunch and spring hike planning, contact hike leader for food coordination (Carol Fullman, 203-270-1747).