Parks promotes ‘Green Friday’ as an alternative to ‘Black Friday’

Arkansas State Parks is promoting the day after Thanksgiving as “Green Friday,” an opportunity to participate in outdoor activities, rather than shopping “Black Friday” sales.

The organization is joining a movement started in 2015 by the Washington-based outdoor gear company, Recreational Equipment Inc., to close its business that Friday and encourage potential customers to instead #OptOutside.

Arkansas State Parks encourages families to share their plan to observe “Green Friday” on social media, using the hashtags #OptOutside, #GreenFriday and #ARstateparks,” said Kelly Farrell, Arkansas State Parks chief of interpretation and program services.

Many of the state’s 52 parks have planned special events for the occasion on Nov. 25, offering guided hikes, lake tours and another outdoor activities, including an eagle-watching boat ride.

“If your family prefers a looser schedule, we simply encourage you to come out and play, hike, fish, bird, geocache, bike and relax together,” Farrell said. “Thanksgiving is an American holiday in which we can all find common ground. We want to spend quality time with family and friends and reflect on our gratitude. Arkansas’ 52 state parks are perfect places for doing just that during the long holiday weekend.”

“Instead of stressing out about finding a good deal on the latest gadget this holiday season, let’s all take the time to be thankful for all that we have here in Northwest Arkansas – clean water and air and time with friends and family,” park interpreter Rebekah Penny said in a press release from Hobbs State Park–Conservation area. “‘Green Friday’ is a chance to give a gift that is priceless – a connection – a memory.”

“Consider new family traditions that you may just find priceless,” Penny said. “The memories you make will last far longer than the latest gadget.”

More information is available at arkansasstateparks.com.