EBRPD’s mission is to preserve and protect open spaces and make parks accessible for all generations to enjoy. With the incredible diversity in how people use parks, coupled with the rich and growing cultural demographics found right here in the East Bay, we wondered “How could EBRPD play a greater role in connecting people together through nature?” Enter the EBRPD Multicultural Wellness Walks.

On a recent Saturday morning, some 100 people gathered at Tilden Regional Park’s Jewel Lake and threw their cares away. (Well, kind of.)

“What’s bothering you these days?” asked a park staffer whose job is to engage the diverse communities EBRPD serves. “My credit cards!” said a middle-aged Latina mother. “My homework!” shouted a 7 year old Korean boy.

The all-ages, multi-ethnic group then whooshed their hands in the direction of the lake, laughing and sighing with relief as their cares fell away.

This fun exercise was just one of many activities that took place during the Multicultural Wellness Walk, a regular outing organized by EBRPD to expose people from all backgrounds to the parks. 

A melting pot of people from all cultures come together through these Wellness Walks with a common thread – to experience nature. While there are some language barriers and varied fitness levels, the walks are designed to transcend differences, with stops along the way to make bird calls, practice qi gong or dance zumba and yes, laugh a lot via “laughter yoga” – all things that can be shared in a universal language.

With the generous support of Kaiser Permanente and the Regional Parks Foundation, the Multicultural Wellness Walks are just one of many innovative ways that EBRPD reaches out to different communities and demographics to help create lasting connections between people and nature.

Wherever you choose to experience nature, we’re glad you do. See you on the trails.

General Manager Robert E. Doyle