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. Watch for e-mail or call listed leader.

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.

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 2016 winter season began on January 2. The season continues, with hike leaders in parentheses, as follows:

January 9, Huntington Park, Redding (Sawson Ali, 203-426-8911);

January 16, no leader yet, contact Ms Cox for updates;

January 23, Janie Pierce Park, Woodbury (Christa Troiani, 203-751-0297);

January 30, Holcombe Hill Preserve, Newtown, followed by lasagna lunch at hike leader’s home (Linda Dunn, 203-207-1765);

February 6, location TBD (Mark Jones, 203-894-9534);

February 13, Seaside Park, Bridgeport, about three miles (Tim Hanbury, 203-888-3025);

February 20, Devil’s Den, Weston (Rick Clark, 203-526-0177);

February 27, no hike leader yet, contact Ms Cox for updates;

March 5, Tarrywile Park, Danbury, hike or snowshoe (Jim Steck, 845-621-5559 or 914-806-4107);

March 12, Fairfield Beach, Fairfield (Carol Fullman, 203-270-1747);

March 19, Richter Golf Course Trail, Danbury (Wendy Pandolfi, 203-797-1288); and

March 26, Twin Brooks Park, Trumbull, followed by end of winter season pot luck lunch and spring hike planning, contact hike leader to coordinate food (Irene Jutnas, 203-556-2933).