By Stephanie Alvarez

On Sept. 20, the Mission Trails Regional Park (MTRP) Foundation held a reception for the 23rd Annual Amateur Photograph Contest and presented awards to the winners at the MTRP Visitor Center. This event featured photographs that showed the wide diversity of park; from people, flora and fauna to beautiful landscapes.

“The contest was initiated to entice people to visit Mission Trails. It started three years before the Visitor Center was opened,” said Jay Wilson, Executive Director of MTRP Foundation.

All of the pictures were taken by hikers and park lovers of all ages that walk the trails. At the contest reception, photographers who submitted their work and friends and family gathered to see the exposition and vote for the winner of the “People’s Choice Award.” They chatted with each other about stories of the park, favorite places, and directions on how to get to spots captured in the photographs.

California State Senator Joel Anderson, San Diego City Councilman Scott Sherman and the MTRP Foundation gave certificates and awards to the photographers who won in each category. Anderson said,

“The photographers in the contest captured the beauty and essence of the park and we are grateful that they shared their talent and stories in the showcase. Jay and his team have worked hard to continue this incredible tradition, and I hope it continues year after year,” Anderson said.

The winning photographs of the contest can currently viewed online at www.mtrp.org/photo_contest.

–Stephanie Alvarez is legislative intern for Senator Joel Anderson and a graduate UCSD. class of 2015.