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

Hikers participate at their own risk and are asked by Newtown Parks & Recreation to sign a release at their first hike. It is recommended that participants wear hiking boots and use hiking sticks/poles, and carry water, snack, and tick spray.

Children are welcome with an adult and need to be able to keep up with group pace. Dogs are welcome on leash.

Winter hikes begin at 10 am from each location’s trail head. Hikes are usually shorter with easy to moderate terrain.

Registration is requested through each weekend’s leader. For additional information contact schedule coordinator Linda Dunn, ldunn6785@sbcglobal.net.

The new season opens Saturday, January 7, with a hike at Putnam State Park, 499 Black Rock Turnpike in Redding (hike leader is Lou Picchione, 845-278-9586).

The season’s schedule continues as follows:

January 14, Kettletown State Park, 1400 Georges Hill Road, Southbury (Carol & Hugh Fullman 203-463-8469);

January 21, Fairfield Hills and Catherine Violet Hubbard Animal Sanctuary, Keating Farms Avenue, Newtown (Sally Cox, 203-830-9032);

January 28, Saugatuck Falls, 491 Redding Road, Redding (Irene Juthas, 203-556-2933);

February 4, Sega Meadows/Riverwalk, Broadman Road, New Milford (Linda Dunn, 203-207-1765);

February 11, Bennetts Pond State Park, 550-698 Bennetts Farm Road, Ridgefield (Irene Juthas 203-556-2933);

February 18, Johnson Farm Preserve, 37 West Mountain Road, Washington (Linda Dunn, 203-207-1765);

February 25, Van Vleck Farm & Sanctuary, 5 Church Hill Road, Woodbury (Nancy Ziegler, 475-206-6510);

March 4, Silver Sands State Park, 1 Silver Sands Parkway, Milford (Molly Schleis, 203-927-4980);

March 11, Williams Park, 185 Whisconier Road, Brookfield (Sally Cox, 203-830-9032);

March 18, Bent of the River Audubon Center, 185 East Flat Hill Road, Southbury (Mary Ann Raph 203-482-1817); and

March 25, Phillips-Lovdal Farm Preserve, 400 Sanford Road, Southbury (Christa Troiani 203-751-0297).