featureD story Foothills Trail - Orting
Pierce County Parks Adventure Guide + Calendar | SPRING/SUMMER 2021
Foothills Trail - Puyallup
L U P O P L I A TR
Walk. Bike. Stroll. Roll. Whatever your preferred activity, Pierce County trails offer opportunities at a time when people are clamoring to safely get outside. Whether it’s a quiet escape to the woods, a biking or walking connection to a neighborhood school, or an accessible way to get some exercise, our local trails are here for us now, and into the future.
a 57% increase in trail use from 2019 to 2020 which amounts to over 1.6 million additional visits. And this trend continues into 2021 where, despite a record setting January rain event, the Foothills Trail still saw double the traffic at almost every trailhead. The message is clear: even a little rain won’t stop Pierce County residents from getting out on the trail.
Over a year ago, we collectively took an unexpected break from our “normal life” and began the process of adjusting to new rules for social distancing, masking, and engaging with our communities. For many, that meant leaning into teleworking with our new canine coworker or balancing zoom school with zoom work, and after all that screen time, we needed the outdoors more than ever. Pierce County data shows
This trend continued at the national level. Americans have flocked to outdoor recreation in record numbers amid COVID restrictions. According to an Outdoor Industry article1, more Americans took up running, cycling and hiking for the first-time last year. Urban residents, seeking a respite from the stresses and close quarters of towns and cities, took up these activities in even higher numbers than the general population. 10
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