Working together on the Trail Challenge are (L-R) Orinda Parks and Rec Director Todd Trimble,Moraga’s Parks and Rec Director Breyana Brandt, Orinda Park and Rec Commissioner CZ Czerner, Coldwell Banker Managing Broker Jeff Gillett and City of Lafayette Parks, Trails and Rec Director Jonathan Katayanagi.
With the hope of encouraging hiking, biking or just walking, local park agencies have teamed up with the East Bay Regional Park District to offer an easy and fun way to discover the plethora of interconnecting trails and beautiful vistas of Lamorinda.
“We have so many wonderful trails throughout Orinda, Moraga and Lafayette, and we want to be sure people know about them and use them more, especially families. When a child learns to enjoy hiking at a young age, it’s usually something they continue when they grow up,” says Orinda Park and Rec Commissioner CZ Czerner. “It’s a great way to relieve stress and enjoy the outdoors with friends and family.”
To help people discover the opportunities available, which include trails maintained by each city, the East Bay Regional Park District, East Bay Municipal Utility District, and the Parks and Recreation Departments in Lamorinda have joined together for a Trail Challenge.
“Our trails are such a wonderful community asset, and we want to be sure they are enjoyed by everyone,” says Moraga Parks and Rec Director Breyana Brandt.
The result of many months of planning, the challenge begins in May and continues through October. A kickoff is planned for May 4. “We’ll have representatives on the various trails handing out guides and t-shirts,” says Jeff Gillett, managing broker of Coldwell Banker, who is sponsoring the Trail Challenge.
Designed for all fitness levels, the free event is a self-guided program with participants completing the challenge by one of two ways: Go the Distance or Complete the Objectives. Go the Distance participants track the distance they hike on Lamorinda trails and submit a log showing a completed total of 26.2 miles.
Those choosing the Objective approach must complete five of eight objectives listed in the guide. Objectives include identifying native wildflowers, cleaning up trash along trails or hiking to a creek. A limited number of 2019 commemorative pins will be awarded to those completing the challenge.
Participants can track their progress and their location by downloading the free AllTrails app on their smartphones. Identify various plants and trees by downloading the Plantsnap app ($3.99).
To participate, download the guide and digitized trail maps at www.lovelafayette.org/trails, www.moragarec.com or www.cityoforinda.org. They are available in print at the Parks and Rec departments (Lafayette: 500 St. Mary’s Road, 925-284-2232; Moraga Hacienda de las Flores: 21200 Donald Dr., 925-888-7045; Orinda Community Center: 28 Orinda Way, 925-254-5445) or at Coldwell Banker, 5 Moraga Way, 925-253-4676.
