Many state and national parks are yet again taking part in the “Green Friday” trend, a part of REI’s #OptOutside initiative. The initiative is an effort to encourage people to get outside on Black Friday instead of taking part in the consumerism shopping trend.
To encourage more people to visit the parks, they are waiving their entrance fees on Black Friday. This year they are expecting hundreds of thousands of people to take part. In addition to waiving entrance fees, many of the parks are also offering special activities for the second year in a row.
Parks that are taking place in the fun include those in Arizona, Arkansas, California, Delaware, and Minnesota State Parks.
REI closes all of its locations on Black Friday to lead by example, giving over 12,000 employees the day off.
In October REI’s CEO Jerry Stritzke released a statement about the move.
“As a co-op, we share a simple belief that time in the outdoors makes us healthier and happier –- as individuals and as a society.”
