New Year’s Day program highlights state’s parks

DOVER, Del. (AP) — With New Year’s weather expected to be chilly but sunny, Delaware officials are encouraging people to celebrate New Year’s Day outdoors in one of the state parks.

The state is encouraging attendance with its First Day Hikes Initiative.

Park officials expect attendance at state parks to increase by 15 percent on Friday.

Division of Parks and Recreation Director Ray Bivens said 2015 was a record-setting fiscal year for the park system with more than six million visitors.