The third annual Pierce County Trails day is this weekend, and ForeverGreen Trails is hosting more than two dozen trail-related activities around the county, including several on the Plateau.
ForeverGreen, a Tacoma-based nonprofit formed in 2000, aims to improve community connection through trail networks and has been advocating for and helping facilitate trail designs in the county.
“In cooperation and coordination with various cities and organizations, we have organized over 25 free events across Pierce County, including bicycle rides, interpretive and wildlife viewing, family-friendly guided walks, trail maintenance, and even skateboarding,” Larry Leveen, ForeverGreen’s project and communications coordinator, said in a press release. “We are providing opportunities in several locations to make participation more accessible to residents across Pierce County.”
All the events will be on Saturday, July 27, at various times.
In Buckley, the Rails-to-Trails Coalition and the Buckley City Council have helped organize a bike ride along the Foothills Trail from Buckley to South Prairie.
Bikers are expected to meet at the gazebo by the Buckley Feed Store (117 North River Rd.) by 10 a.m. before the ride begins.
The city of Orting is hosting two events — one at the East Puyallup Trailhead (13810 80th St. East, Puyallup), and the second at the Orting Main City Park (101 Train St. S.E., Orting) — featuring the Pierce County Sheriff’s K9 unit and other booths and activities organized by the Pierce County Parks and Recreation Department, Fleet Feet Bonney Lake, KidzLoveSoccer, Orting Valley Fire and Rescue, the Pierce County Library system, and more.
Both events are slated to start at 9 a.m. and end at noon.
Bonney Lake is also participating with a guided walk of the Fennel Creek Trail with city Special Projects Manager Gary Leaf. Attendees are to meet at the trailhead between 11110 and 11112 185th Ave. E. by 10 a.m.
Finally, the Washington Trail Association is organizing a work party on Mount Rainier. The cleanup, which will go from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., will be on the South Puyallup Trail, which leads to the Emerald and St. Andrew parks.
Organizers note that work will include rebuilding the trail on higher ground away from the river.
In order to participate in the cleanup, you must register at www.wta.org/volunteer/schedule/workparty/a2m2K000009BBYL/?fbclid=IwAR17558L_-BuDu4QZDmuieCwJmW4wswujct4VrcYxRXoDwLReAFbuEImTY8.
For more information about Pierce County Trails Day, or to find other activities in Tacoma, Lakewood, Puyallup, Gig Harbor, and other cities, head to www.forevergreentrails.org/pierce-county-trails-day-1.
