I recently joined a volunteer group for
my local trail called trail patrol. This involves committing to riding the
local trail a few times a month and reporting any noteworthy conditions such as
fallen trees. When I ride, I wear a vest identifying myself as a trail patrol.
This invites visitors to the trail to ask questions. I have found this
experience very rewarding from the standpoint of doing my part to communicate
issues and better yet a conversation starter with other cyclists.
This is important since the offices for
the trail are near the center of the 165-mile-long trail and staff don’t get
out to the ends of the trail as often as they would like. This trail like many
others has many owners all coordinated via a single nonprofit. Recently there
was some construction to improve a road crossing. The trail staff were aware of
the pending construction but the local owner had responsibility. The result was
that the trail staff did not realize the construction had started until I alerted
them and sent a few pictures. As they say the trail patrol functions as their
eyes along the trail.
As I ride, report conditions and answer
questions, I log my hours on the trail. I also fill the trailhead map dispensers
at the start of my rides. The information I log is then used as leverage for
grant funding to improve and complete the last remaining sections of the trail.
Another unexpected perk is a get
together for all the volunteers in December with a nice catered lunch. If that
was not enough, I was selected as volunteer of the year for my section of the
trail. I don’t think there are many volunteers in my section but it was a very
nice gesture. If your local trail has volunteers, I encourage you to join. If
it doesn’t consider starting a group.
For more information about the trail patrol on the D&L Trail check their website.
