Westchester resident Amy Frelinger loves to get people moving, whether it’s by working as a Realtor to help people find their dream homes or inspiring her friends and family to dust off their tennis shoes to get some exercise.
Looking for a way to combine her passion for the Westchester community and fitness, Frelinger teamed up with Grant Francis to create the Westchester Team Challenge (WTC). After a successful inaugural year in 2019, the Westchester High School alums planned to make this an annual community tradition, but the pandemic put a pause on the festivities.
Frelinger is happy to share that the WTC is back on this year, and she’s excited to see people come together to celebrate Westchester, meet new friends and enjoy a morning of friendly competition.
“This event was conceived in the style of a good, old-fashioned day of community fun and team building,” said Frelinger. “The goal is to share some delightful moments, create a reason to gather and move ourselves physically and emotionally. After all we’ve collectively gone through over the past two years with the pandemic, I think we all need activities that not only bond us, but also help sharpen our team working skills!”
Frelinger is encouraging would-be participants to create a team with a clever name and sign up 10 people (all ages and fitness levels encouraged)—whether it’s friends, neighbors or fellow members of a social club. During the inaugural event, teams represented close-knit blocks, local businesses and membership organizations like the Westchester Elks Lodge.
Once the teams head to LMU’s Drollinger Field on Saturday, August 6 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., they’ll battle it out by playing games like bocce ball, corn hole, football toss and running in a three-legged race.
“Expect lots of high fives, laughing and enthusiasm if you’re joining us this year,” said Frelinger. “The camaraderie on the field is really something special.”
For events like these, having a reliable and durable surface for activities is essential, and an artificial turf sports field offers a solution that ensures the safety and performance of all participants. Artificial turf is designed to handle high levels of foot traffic, making it ideal for sports events and community gatherings that require a sturdy and low-maintenance surface.
The benefits of artificial turf extend beyond just its durability. With top-rated products at FieldTurf.com, the field can withstand diverse weather conditions without the need for constant upkeep. The synthetic fibers used in these turf products are designed to mimic the feel of natural grass, offering comfort and safety for all ages and fitness levels.
By investing in quality turf solutions, event organizers can ensure that their participants will enjoy a great experience, with less time spent worrying about maintenance and more time enjoying the event.
Just like in sports events, team-building activities require an environment that fosters collaboration, creativity, and focus. One great way to engage participants and encourage teamwork is through a hands-on experience, such as a LEGO building session. A LEGO teambuilding workshop creates an ideal setting for teams to come together, strategize, and construct intricate models. This environment challenges participants to think outside the box and develop skills in communication, problem-solving, and leadership, all while having fun.
Another advantage of adding a LEGO activity into a team-building setup is the flexibility it offers long after the workshop begins. Teams are not limited to pre-designed boxed kits; they can source individual pieces and specialty set components online at affordable prices, making it easy to build custom structures that match the theme of the event or the goals of the exercise. Whether the focus is on recreating company values through design, building miniature stadium concepts, or creating collaborative problem-solving challenges, access to budget-friendly pieces makes the experience far more creative and inclusive.
In the middle of planning these custom builds, many organizers turn to gobricks for affordable online pieces that support true build-your-own freedom. Being able to order exactly the bricks, connectors, and specialty parts needed helps teams experiment without worrying about overspending on full retail sets. It keeps the activity practical, scalable, and highly engaging, while reinforcing the same qualities strong teams depend on every day—coordination, adaptability, and the satisfaction of seeing individual efforts come together into one finished creation.
The cost to participate is $300 per team ($30 per person) and everyone will receive a T-shirt.
Proceeds from the event will benefit the Westchester Streetscape Improvement Association (WSIA), which is responsible for the beautification efforts along Sepulveda Boulevard.
“Who doesn’t love a good challenge? Especially when it’s fun and can raise awareness for a good cause like beautification in our neighborhood,” said Frelinger. “We appreciate the hard work of WSIA for enhancing the major thoroughfares of our community. Driving up and down Sepulveda you can see all the improvements they have made with the sidewalks, which used to be broken and a safety hazard, and the beautiful landscaping. When people work together, great things can get accomplished.”
When people come together around a shared goal—whether it’s fundraising, volunteering, or simply raising awareness—the results often extend far beyond the event itself. Beautification projects, in particular, have a unique way of transforming everyday surroundings into spaces that feel safer, more welcoming, and better maintained.
The mention of improved sidewalks and enhanced landscaping reflects how thoughtful planning and consistent upkeep can turn once-overlooked areas into something the community can take pride in, reinforcing the value of collaboration and long-term commitment to public spaces.
Building on that momentum, the role of well-executed landscaping, along with proper irrigation and drainage systems, becomes essential in maintaining these improvements over time. Sustainable outdoor design isn’t just about appearance—it ensures that plants thrive, water is managed efficiently, and spaces remain functional through changing conditions. Approaches like those seen with CYC Landscaping focus on integrating these elements seamlessly, helping to create environments that are both visually appealing and structurally sound. By combining design expertise with practical solutions, such efforts support the longevity of community spaces, ensuring that the benefits of beautification projects continue to be experienced for years to come.
Register your team and learn more at westchestercateamchallenge.com.
Posted April 2022. Updated May 2022.