Could not make it to one of our trail days? Can’t find the trail behind all that foliage? Want to help maintain our trails? We’ve got the answer!
For anyone who may have trouble making our trail days in the off-season, don’t worry…..because you can always do your part to help your trails by contributing to trail maintenance on your own time, whenever it fits your schedule. Plus, with the vast expanse of trails we have now (at 6 different parks!), we really need all the help we can get when it comes to seasonal maintenance.
Most of the trail maintenance duties entail regular trimming of foliage that anyone with a gas or battery trimmer can help out with. Excessive foliage usually starts requiring attention around end of June (earlier with rainy spring), especially to help keep sightlines open and clear for safety!…..and keep those dang briars from snagging us as we ride by.
So the list below includes all current CAMBA-built trails that will need annual attention for trimming. Remember that if each of us just tackles a small section, then we’d have the whole done in no time!….without overdoing it on a hot summer day too. And there’s no need to contact anyone at CAMBA, it’s as simple as just coordinating with other trail maintenance volunteers via the OMBA Trail Conditions board. This board should serve as a useful tool to communicate what trail needs attention, what you’re planning to work on next, when it’s done, etc……so no one wastes time hiking in for a section only to find it’s already done!?!
Anyone can volunteer for any park trail, all we ask is that you follow these guidelines:
1. Do not use powered cutting tools (e.g. chain saws, metal brush-trimmers, etc.). Please respect this hard-fast rule. All state and local parks prohibit use of powered equipment by non-park-employees, unless authorized to experienced and trained trail leaders from CAMBA.
2. Usage of leaf blowers or nylon line trimmers is fine, but you must wear eye protection (sunglasses work fine). Long pants and boots are highly recommended for protection (and avoiding any bugs).
3. No unauthorized trail building or construction; No major projects (e.g. reroutes, armoring, etc.) should be undertaken, but you should note any concerns or problems areas and bring them up for discussion at the next CAMBA meeting, or save them for discussion during trailbuilding projects in the fall (on CAMBA trail days).
4. Got an idea for a small task that needs to be added to this list? Send it to trails ‘at’ camba.us
| Task | Park | Approx. Hours to Complete |
When to complete? | |
| Trimming | West Branch | 3-4 days for the whole trail (we definitely recommend one section at a time) | Trimming from June through the summer | |
| Trimming | Atchinson | About 4 hours | Trimming from June through the summer | |
| Trimming | Reagan Park | 3-4 days for the whole trail (we definitely recommend one small section at a time) | Trimming from June through the summer | |
| Trimming | Ohio & Erie Canal Reservation | About 2 days (6hrs. each) | Trimming from June through the summer | |
| Trimming | Quail Hollow | About 2 days (6 hrs. each) | Trimming from June through the summer |
Please remember that all CAMBA trails are built and maintained by the volunteers of CAMBA (not the parks)…….so any efforts to help us maintain what we enjoy is greatly appreciated by all mountain bikers.
Thanks in advance for your help!
JimO
CAMBA TrailBuilding Director
