teens on trails

This weekend, Ryan, representing Transit and Trails and The Bay Area Open Space Council, worked with The Golden Gate Nationals Parks Conserveney to host a Teens on Trails event.  The teens cleared the sand from the beach front promenade on the Great Highway at Ocean Beach.  Although the ubiquitous sand will certainly return, this job must be done in order to keep the walkway wheelchair accessible.  The high schoolers earn required volunteer credits for school, as well as visit new outdoor spaces.

After the cleanup was complete, Ryan showed the students the Transit and Trails video, promoting carless Bay Area exploration, then took a mini-hike through Golden Gate Park.  

The plan was to hike oneway, then return on the free Golden Gate Park shuttle.  Ryan and I spent the previous day experimenting on the shuttle and finding fun locations to take the kids.  Turns out, the shuttle is pretty lax in adhering to their schedule.  One the drivers was on a lunch break, which meant the shuttle, which normally runs every 15 minutes, was only running every 30 minutes.  

Some of the students were able to hop on the shuttle, but with not enough room for all, the rest of us hiked back.  

Post hike, lunch was served and a raffle was conducted.  Raffle entrants were required to arrive at the event using public transportation.  Raffle winners received REI daypacks, which were generously donated by REI.   All participants received Novara water bottles, also donated by REI.