WELD – More than 600 people attended the “Take It Outside” Family Fun Day on Feb. 7 at Mount Blue State Park.

“It was a fabulous day at the park,” said Commissioner Patrick McGowan of the Maine Department of Conservation, who attended with his own family.

Park Manager Bruce Farnham said he had expected a good crowd, but nonetheless was surprised by the large turnout of people. “They were pretty much from all over, all parts of southern Maine,” he said.

It was the second “Take It Outside” event held this year by the Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands, under the MDOC. An ice fishing day, attended by more than 90 children and parents, was held in January at Lake St. George State Park.

“Take It Outside” is an initiative led by Gov. John E. Baldacci and supported by the Bureau of Parks and Lands to encourage Maine’s children and families to reconnect with nature.

Families on Saturday were able to cross country ski and snowshoe; sled on Center Hill; skate on the park’s rink; and ride in a horse-drawn sleigh provided by David Fish of Weld.

Andy Hutchinson, Wolfe’s Neck Woods State Park manager, led two groups of about 30 people each on nature hikes through the Mount Blue park, looking for tracks and other signs of local wildlife.

Loaner sports equipment was available for children and parents to try out, and more than 700 hot dogs and hamburgers were served for lunch.

Farnham said he was particularly impressed with the kids and parents who tried out snowshoeing and cross country skiing at the various recreation stations, then went on the trails to use their new skills. “People had the opportunity to try out some new things and find out they liked it,” he said.

“There were crowds at all of the recreation stations,” organizer Gary Best, BPL interpretive specialist, said. “The sledding on Center Hill was very popular,” with park staff continually shuttling people up the hill on a snowmobile. “I don’t think that stopped all day.”

Farnham and Best both said they were struck by the generosity and support from all the sponsors and the community. Volunteers included Pam Crawford, Naples; Lisa Drapeau, Weld; Purse Drapeau, Weld; Bll Espeaignnette, Weld; Bob and Cristie Paine, Weld; Neil and Joanne Stinneford, Weld; Brian White, Jay; Erna White, Jay; and the youngest volunteer, Reilly, 8.

Best said he also heard numerous comments and questions from people who wanted to return and who weren’t aware that the park is open every day.

Ursus Media Group was on hand to video the event for an edition of “The Maine Show,” shown on Time Warner Cable. The day will be shown on television sometime later this month or early March, a spokesman said.

The next “Take It Outside” will be a Family Fun Day on Saturday, Feb. 21, at Aroostook State Park in Presque Isle. Call Aroostook State Park for more information at 768-8341.

Mount Blue State Park is open from 9 a.m. to sunset, though lighting at the ice skating rink is available for night-time skating. Entrance fee is $1.50 for those ages 12 to 64. For more information, call the park at 585-2261.

For more information about “Take It Outside,” go to http://www.maine.gov/doc/parks/index.html.