Latina mom encourages people to get outside of home and comfort zone ---

“Latinos love being outdoors - it is part of our culture,” says Melissa Avery, a Latina mother and blogger who lives in Fremont. Avery challenges Latino families to start a regular exercise habit. “Go for a walk every day, walk around the block,” she says. “Visit the local parks - I encourage people to get out of their comfort zone.”

Avery blogs about her family outdoor adventures at www.chasquimom.com. She is also a regional coordinator for Latino Outdoors, an organization that connects the Latino community with organizations such as the East Bay Regional Parks District (EBRPD).

As a mother who is passionate about a healthy lifestyle outdoors, Avery offers valuable advice to parents.

“Leave the strollers behind when you go out. Walk at the kids pace and let them explore, letting them connect with nature and get dirty. Or ride a bike - it helps the family to be generally more active, then naturally you are more adventurous – you will start the habit of being active outdoors.”

Latino Outdoors has partnered with EBRPD for a free, guided walk in Garin/Dry Creek Pioneer Park in Hayward on Saturday, September 27th. Avery will lead the hike with Daniel Sanchez from the National Park Service. People joining the walk will learn about the history of Bay Area settlement in the Spanish and Mexican era and find out how the National Park Service is working to make the trail relevant to a future generation of park visitors. The special hike is an example of EBRPD’s goal of having more Latinos enjoy East Bay parks and facilities.

Avery expects about twenty people to join the walk, which will be between one and two miles. She says the walk will be easy and will take about two hours with breaks.

“The goal is to enjoy nature, exercise, and to learn the story behind the places where we are walking,” she says. “We’d rather have people enjoy the experience than rushing. Hiking is walking; it is just on a trail.” 

Avery stresses that the walk is for everybody, regardless of their level of fitness. The walk is free, but the parking fee is $5. Garin Park is located at 1320 Garin Avenue in Hayward. For more information contact Melissa Avery, 510-967-3775 or Ranger Daniel Sanchez, 415-623-2351.
The Anza Trail is named for Spanish Lt. Colonel Juan Bautista de Anza, who in 1775 led more than 240 men, women and children on an overland journey across the frontier of New Spain to settle Alta California. The trail commemorates, protects, and marks the route traveled by Anza and the colonists from Sonora, Mexico (New Spain) to establish a mission and presidio in San Francisco.