Machicomoco State Park on the York River in Gloucester has many attractions and also has a relatively new group of Friends to support its activities.

President Dave Harlan and other Friends were on hand Sunday for the First Day Hike. The hikes on Jan. 1 are held in state parks throughout Virginia.

The Machicomoco Friends, all volunteers, served hot cider, homemade cookies, and conversation before and after the hike took place.Harlan said the group was organized in 2022, one year after the park opened in April 2021. It exists, he said, “to enhance visitor experience, support park activities, and do little things to help.”

“We were here the day they opened the park, and said we should help out”—so the organization got underway. It is a nonprofit group, applying for 501(c)(3) recognition, he said.

A flyer about the Friends said, “We serve as a nonprofit citizens support organization to assist in: conserving the natural, cultural, scenic and historic resources of Machicomoco S...