The East Bay Regional Park District is bringing back its fee-free day in the Regional Parks on Friday, inviting everyone to immerse themselves in nature instead of the consumerist crush. As reported by the East Bay Regional Park District, Jessica Sloan, the Park District’s volunteer program supervisor, says, "Green Friday is a healthy and meaningful way to spend the day after Thanksgiving," a sentiment echoing the district's decade-long effort to foster an appreciation for the environment over shopping sprees.
The all-inclusive invitation to the regional parks means fees are nixed across the board, no parking, boat launching, or fishing charges can put a damper on this post-Thanksgiving appreciation of the environment, with only state fishing licenses, watercraft inspections, and third-party concessions like the Tilden Merry-Go-Round keeping their price tags. Aligning with the #OptOutside movement, the park district aims to promote a health-focused alternative to elbowing through crowded stores.
Those looking to contribute beyond just enjoyment can join the volunteer planting at Contra Loma or select from a string of Green Friday hikes, such as the one among the towering trees at Reinhardt Redwood or the Gratitude Hike at Sunol Wilderness, offering enough options to work off any Thanksgiving excess.
