Volunteer Outdoors for National Trails Day!

Celebrate National Trails Day with Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado by building a one-of-a-kind trail in Empire. Please register in advance at www.voc.org/projects.

PROJECT SITE

This is a unique site near Empire, Colorado that is currently being developed by nonprofit, Partners for Access to the Woods (PAW), to be used as an outdoor classroom. The goal of the outdoor classroom is to teach outdoor recreation providers and college students how to include persons of all ages and abilities in an outdoor recreation experience. The site will eventually offer a trail, Colorado history exhibits, and parking for visitors of all ages and abilities.

VOLUNTEER PROJECT - WHAT & WHY

Celebrate National Trails Day by getting involved in this truly special trail project! This is a one-of-a-kind opportunity to help construct a trail that will eventually become a national model for trail design. This trail is intended to become an outdoor classroom demonstrating a variety of trail materials and installation for ADA trail design. It is designed to showcase the importance of running grade, cross-slope and surface material in determining the level of difficulty for a person with a mobility impairment as well as the general public enjoying a recreation trail. This project takes lessons learned from Gary's Trail at the Easter Seals Camp that VOC volunteers helped install.

On Friday, volunteer work will involve digging and preparing the trail bed, creating overhead clearance, and removing obstructions on the trail such as rocks and tree stumps. This work to prepare the site for the materials will be a bit more strenuous and is appropriate for volunteers age 12 and up.

On Saturday, volunteer work will involve moving and installing a variety of trail materials using with the assistance of manufactures on site. There is a steep grade in some sections. This work will be easier and is appropriate for volunteers age 8 and up.

PARTNERS

Partners for Access to the Woods (PAW)

OTHER FUN STUFF

Meals: Light breakfast and lunch on both Friday and Saturday

Camping is available for volunteers who wish to stay over Friday night.

Volunteers MUST register in advance at www.voc.org/projects