Stan Dodson, Founder & Executive Director, Oakland Trails

Stan Dodson, manager of La Farine Bakery in Oakland’s Dimond District, and founder of the Oakland Trails nonprofit organization, has worked as a volunteer to promote, maintain, and enhance the trail system that connects Dimond Park to the Bay Area Ridge Trail since 2008. Stan provides leadership for community involvement up and down the hill, including producing the documentaries Trailhead (2015) and Old Survivor (2018), co-founding and managing Oakland Volunteer Park Patrol, offering free hiking and mountain tours, and leading ongoing trail maintenance and enhancement projects in Oakland’s wildland parks. Through these efforts, Stan strives to inspire outdoor recreation and park stewardship while shining a bright light on the City of Oakland.

Stan is a graduate of the Citizens Police Academy, has received three Local Hero awards from City of Oakland District 4 Councilmembers, and in 2014, La Farine Bakery was honored with a “Small Business of the Year” award from Oakland’s Mayor and City Council. In 2017, Stan received the Parkland Steward Award from Oakland Public Works, and the Anne Woodell Community Award, Oakland’s highest honor for community service in parks. In 2018, Stan’s leadership was recognized with a San Francisco Bay Area Jefferson Award.

OaklandTrails.org