We are deeply saddened by the passing of Doug McConnell, beloved host of Bay Area Backroads and OpenRoad. Doug was a gifted storyteller who helped raise awareness of the Bay Area’s rich bounty of parks and trails.
The Ridge Trail has been fortunate to work with Doug many times over the years on feature stories about Ridge Trail treasures and progress. He was a master of his craft, and his infectious enthusiasm, passionate love of nature, and joyful sense of adventure connected with generations of viewers.
He was skillful at shining a spotlight on so many environmental projects and their champions. He instantly drew people out, making it easy and fun to be out with him on a shoot.
Doug was always tremendously generous with his time – he served as Master of Ceremonies, on-stage interviewer, donor to auctions, and more. In recent years, he also used his personal health challenges to talk about the healing power of nature.
Doug fully embraced the audacious Ridge Trail vision. As he writes in his forward to our Guidebook: “I look forward to seeing you out (on the trails) … and when we meet, let’s make a date to join the big party when the last golden spike is nailed to the final trailhead and the Ridge Trail loop is complete. It will be the most epic urban trail through nature the world has ever known, another global treasure in our own backyard.”
We are so grateful to Doug for being part of the Ridge Trail journey. He was widely loved and will be deeply missed.
PHOTOS
VIDEOS
OpenRoad with Doug McConnell EP 71: The Bay Area Ridge Trail Reaching 400 Miles (2021)
Doug McConnell highlights the vision of Bay Area Ridge Trail founder, William Penn Mott, Jr.
OpenRoad with Doug McConnell EP 89: Ridge Trail Sections Increasing Accessibility in the Outdoors (2023)
OpenRoad with Doug McConnell: Carquinez Strait Scenic Loop Trail (2018) Watch on Facebook
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