Mystic — On Black Friday, the Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center will participate in the "#optoutside" event and offer free admission to its museum and hiking trails for the day.

The Nature Center is following the lead of outdoor retailer REI, which announced recently that it was closing its 143 stores on Black Friday and giving all its employees a paid day off. The company is urging everyone to "#optoutside" and enjoy hiking, biking or walking or any other outdoor activity instead of shopping Black Friday sales.

Other companies have joined, including Gira cycling and Clif protein bars. 

The nature center will be closed Thanksgiving Day and will be open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday.

The center has more than 10 miles of hiking trails at its 109 Pequotsepos Road and 162 Greenmanville Ave. (Coogan Farm) properties.