Checking out the Mulholland Ridge Open Space Preserve trail are (L-R) Orinda Parks and Rec Commissioner CZ Czerner, Moraga Parks and Rec Director Breyana Brandt, event sponsor Coldwell Banker Managing Broker Jeff Gillett and Lafayette’s Parks and Rec Director Jonathan Katayanagi.
Trails have been groomed, maps printed and T-shirts are ready to go. Now Lafayette, Moraga and Orinda parks and recreation directors hope to see lots of new people taking advantage of local trails during the Trail Challenge.
The challenge begins May 4 with representatives from the Lamorinda parks and rec departments at various trail heads from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. handing out T-shirts and maps to participants on opening day.
A self-guided program, the free event allows participants to complete 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, pitching in to clean up trash along trails, hiking to a creek or just having a picnic. 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. For those needing help in identifying various plants and trees, download the Plantsnap app ($3.99).
To be part of the kick-off May 4 and receive a Trail Challenge T-shirt, go to the following trail heads: Orinda Open Space Preserve, 1100 Donald Drive, Orinda (just above Orinda Oaks Park); Moraga Commons Park, 1425 St. Mary’s Rd., in Moraga and the Lafayette Reservoir, 3849 Mt. Diablo Blvd., in Lafayette.
Those not attending the May 4 festivities can pick up T-shirts, maps and guide books at all three cities’ 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, 925-254-2445 as well as at Coldwell Banker, 5 Moraga Way, in Orinda, 925-253-4676. Guides and trail maps can also be downloaded at www.lovelafayette.org/trails, www.moragarec.com or www.cityoforinda.org.
