PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release – May 5, 2023
Contact:
Walter Opuszynski, Forest Recreation Specialist
Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation | Agency of Natural Resources
(802) 522-6022, walter.opuszynski@vermont.gov
Seeking Trail Maintenance Volunteers in Orange, Washington, and Lamoille Counties
Barre, VT – Vermont has a rich tradition of community engagement with public land management. Recreation trails within our state parks and forests would not be the resource many enjoy without the efforts of countless non-profit organizations and volunteers.
With over 250 miles of trails in Orange, Washington, and Lamoille counties, the Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation’s (FPR) is seeking the public’s support in maintaining trails. Currently, over 43 miles do not have a trail maintainer to support general trail maintenance. The trails available to help are primarily in Little River State Park, Elmore State Park, the Worcester Range, and Spruce Mountain.
Trail maintainers are asked, at minimum, to visit their trail twice a season - spring and fall. They assess and record trail conditions, itemize maintenance needs, and report to FPR’s district recreation staff. For trail maintainers who want to perform hands-on trail work, FPR will provide additional training on general maintenance activities such as erosion control, corridor maintenance, and trail blazing. To support the community of volunteers, FPR will offer community building and informational training events to provide an opportunity for trail maintainers to meet other individuals in the program.
“I am looking forward to building out our regional Trail Maintainer Program,” said Jesse Hoover, FPR Trail Coordinator. “This is a great opportunity for people to connect with state lands in a hands-on way.”
The program is scheduled to start with a kick-off event on National Trails Day, Saturday, June 3, at Elmore State Park beginning at 12:00 noon. Join FPR staff for a barbeque and initial training in observing and reporting techniques and to distribute tools and resources to trail maintainers.
Interested individuals should contact Jesse Hoover, Regional Trails Coordinator at D4trails@vermont.gov. Prior trail experience is beneficial but not required to participate in the Trail Maintainer program.
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Trail maintainers perform fall corridor work at Groton State Forest.