Brighton, CO ­– Barr Lake State Park invites everyone to spend a fall morning near a shimmering lake in the prairie strolling, running, striding, toddling or ambling in the Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory’s (RMBO) “Walk on the Wild Side: Take Steps for a Healthy Community” walkathon on Saturday, Oct. 1. The action starts at RMBO’s Old Stone House Environmental Learning Center at Barr Lake near Brighton. Individuals or teams are welcome in any of three levels:

• 8 a.m. – 10K loop includes a visit to RMBO’s bird banding station
• 9 a.m. – 5K loop crosses the dam
• 10 a.m. – 1K prairie trail, ideal for families with small children

All walks include healthy snacks, water and activities by Colorado Parks and Wildlife, The Wildlife Experience and RMBO. Each walker will receive a water bottle donated by REI.

Entry fees are $10 for children through age 12, $20 for individuals over 12, $40 for families, and $60 for teams of three to six people. Pledges and donations are welcome from those unable to participate in the walkathon. Register, donate or find more information at http://walk.birdday.org/rmbo, or call 303-659-4348, ext. 16. All proceeds will benefit RMBO’s environmental education programs.

“This event gives people a pleasant place to get outside, have fun and learn something about conservation while getting some exercise,” said RMBO’s education director Kacie Ehrenberger. “A healthy community requires healthy people and a healthy environment. I’d like to see feet on the ground and smiles on faces.”

RMBO’s Old Stone House is at 14500 Lark Bunting Lane, located through the new north entrance to Barr Lake State Park off Bromley Lane just east of I-76 in Brighton. The RMBO is a Colorado-based nonprofit that works to conserve birds and their habitats from Montana into Mexico through science, education and stewardship.

Barr Lake State Park, located less than 25 miles from downtown Denver, provides a sanctuary for both wildlife and humans. It is a unique place to pause and re-create a kinship with nature’s world. Recreation at Barr Lake State Park takes forms that harmonize with nature. It is a park to drive to, not to drive through. Visitors may boat, fish, hike, bicycle, horseback ride, participate in nature study, bird watch and, in winter’s snows, cross-country ski. Additional information on Barr Lake State Park is available at: www.parks.state.co.us/Parks/BarrLake.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife gets everyone outdoors! Attracting more than 12 million visitors per year, Colorado’s 42 State Parks are a vital cornerstone of Colorado’s economy and quality of life. Colorado State Parks encompass 224,447 land and water acres, offering some of the best outdoor recreation destinations in the state. Colorado Parks and Wildlife is a leader in providing opportunities for outdoor recreation, protecting the state’s favorite landscapes, teaching generations about nature and partnering with communities. Colorado State Parks also manage more than 4,300 campsites, and 63 cabins and yurts. For more information on Colorado State Parks or to purchase an annual pass online, visit www.parks.state.co.us.