Trail Challenge to return for sixth year
>> As the weather begins to turn, county officials announced the return of the sixth annual Montco Trail Challenge this week.
“We are thrilled to see the Montco Trail Challenge back for another season,” said Montgomery County Commissioners’ Chairwoman Val Arkoosh. “This program gives families something fun, healthy, and free to do right in their community.”
The challenge will take place from May 1 to Dec. 1, county officials said during Thursday’s Montgomery County Board of Commissioners meeting.
The program allows participants to track their visits to select Montgomery County trails and earn an award for completing visits to five, ten, or fifteen participating trails.
“Participating in the trail challenge allows our residents and visitors a fun and interactive way to rediscover Montco parks and trails,” said Montgomery County Commissioners’ Vice Chairman Ken Lawrence Jr.
The trail challenge is composed of 15 trails across Montgomery County, and officials highlighted two new paths for outdoor enthusiasts: a water trail along the Perkiomen Creek and the Schuylkill River East Trail.
Additionally, Norristown Farm Park will feature StoryWalk, a new interactive educational opportunity where children’s stories are placed along the trail inside the park.
Several agencies partnered to organize the annual trail challenge including Montgomery County’s Office of Public Health, Planning Commission, Parks, Trails, and Historic Sites, and Board of Commissioners. The program is funded by the Pennsylvania Department of Health’s Preventive Health and Health Services Block Grant.
More than 1,600 people, ages 2 months-to-79 years old participated in last
“We are thrilled to see the Montco Trail Challenge back for another season. This program gives families something fun, healthy, and free to do right in their community.” — Montgomery County Commissioners’ Chairwoman Val Arkoosh
year’s Montco Trail Challenge. Participants came from surrounding counties across the region including Berks, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia counties.
“Getting outdoors is vital to our physical and mental health, which is why we encourage everyone to visit these natural resources right here in Montgomery County,” Lawrence said. “I plan to register and complete the Trail Challenge for the fifth consecutive year. Every year I appreciate our parks and trails more.”
People can track their progress on a trail card and submit their entries online or drop their completed card at the five dropbox locations in the county. Participant awards will be mailed in December after the 2021 Trail Challenge. All entries must be received by December 10.
For more information, visit www.montcopa.org/ trailchallenge.