Redlands Conservancy Presents Third Annual Emerald Necklace Grand Tour

Enjoy the beauty of the brilliant green hills, canyons, farms and creeks that surround Redlands with the third annual Emerald Necklace Grand Tour on Saturday, Feb. 20. First offered in 2014 as an inaugural event to launch the Emerald Necklace Trail and Scenic Route, the Emerald Necklace Tour has become a popular annual event with 300 guests on bicycles, in cars and on a luxury bus on a 38-mile route around Redlands. Tour planners have identified three bicycle routes for this year’s event, one for the conservative riders, one for those who want a little challenge and a 38-mile up-and-down route for road-hardened riders. ·Short route: a relatively flat route of about 20 miles; it does not go through the Canyons. ·Intermediate route: for cyclists comfortable with riding the climb up to Caroline Park, but who do not want to ride the canyons. Approximately 30 miles, with 1600 feet of climbing. ·Long route: the entire route, including rides through San Timoteo and Live Oak Canyons. 38 miles, with 2200 feet of climbing. Luxury bus guests will enjoy a tour narration by special guest Pete Dangermond, author of the 1987 Emerald Necklace plan for the city of Redlands. Champagne and mimosas will be an integral part of the journey. The Emerald Necklace Tour is limited to 300 guests. The tour begins at Heritage Park and the Grove School, where all guests will sign in and receive their maps and turn-by-turn directions, and where bus riders will meet their ride. Back at the park at the end of the tour, guests will be treated to an after-party with lunch, beverages and live music. The party is open to all, even those who do not take the tour. There will be a special presentation about the Barton School House and a chance to meet with one woman who both attended the school and lived in it when her family occupied the building as their home. The complete Emerald Necklace Trail and Scenic Route includes some 20 “gems”. This year’s tour will feature 12 gems, several of them new to the tour. One new gem is the Orange Alley Park in downtown Redlands, where several artists will display their interpretation of the Emerald Necklace. As in prior tours, participants will enjoy Chew and View sites. At each “gem” stop, proprietors of Redlands food establishments will offer samples of their products. At the Chew and View sites, in addition to the food samples, tourists will learn a little bit about the particular site such as how it was acquired, why it’s important and where it fits into the Emerald Necklace plans. The Conservancy’s outdoor ambassadors and Land Trust Cabinet members will also be at each site to provide information to the tourists. More details about the tour can be found on the Conservancy’s website: http://www.redlandsconservancy.org/emerald-necklace-grand-tour-2016/ Advance registration is required and closes on Sunday, Feb. 14. All tourists receive lunch, the tour, and the event T-shirt. Registration is through Eventbrite.com at https://2016emeraldnecklacegrandtour.eventbrite.com For more information, please contact Sherli Leonard at 909-389-7810 or Kathy Behrens at 310-871-3791.