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Are you looking for a great volunteer
opportunity? Or maybe you're an avid hiker, equestrian or nature lover.
who uses the trails in the Watchung Reservation, Union County's
2,060-acre park, and want to "give something back." Whatever
the reason, plan to attend an "Adopt-A-Trail" orientation
meeting on Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. in Trailside Nature and Science
Center's newly refurbished visitor's center located at 452 New
Providence Road in Mountainside. Light refreshments will be provided.
There are approximately 26 miles of bridle trails and more
than 13 miles of marked hiking trails that need attention. By adopting a
trail, participants can realize a sense of accomplishment, work out
of doors and learn new skills.
Sponsored by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders,
the meeting for volunteers who would like to adopt a section of hiking
or bridle trail will introduce potential trail stewards to the
Adopt-A-Trail Program and trail assignments will be given.
Following the 6:30 p.m. meeting for beginners, there will
be a general "Adopt-a-trail" meeting from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m.
which will include topics such as: First Aid dos & don'ts;
maintenance "how-tos"; an update on trail blazing (marking);
and other projects.
The first' aid presentation will be given by long-time
steward, Marc Heflich of Berkeley Heights. Heflich is employed by MONOC
as a Field Training Officer in the Special Operations Division, and he
is a search and rescue technician.
Participants will be required to adopt their trail for a
period of at least two years, visiting the trail and completing and
submitting quarterly report forms. Maintainers will be expected to
remove litter, do minor pruning, clear drainage pipes of debris and
re-mark trails as needed. All Adopt-A-Trail participants must attend an
Orientation meeting and an additional meeting per year.
Pre-registration for the orientation and General
"Adopt-a-trail" meetings is required. Please call 908-527-4231
to register.
The Adopt-A-Trail program was implemented by the Union
County Department of Parks, Recreation and Facilities to round out the
existing monthly trail maintenance program. Maintainers and trail users
who are not able to make a two-year commitment are encouraged to
attend the monthly trail work days, usually held every first Saturday
from 9:30 a.m. to noon, except in January and February.
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