Feature Story Trailblazers wanted

TRAILBLAZERS

By Brett Auten

St. Charles County Parks Department will show volunteers how to build and maintain sustainable, natural-surfaced trails as they assist in extending the county’s 62-mile trail system

Trail carvers are in need. What’s that, you say? What’s a trail carver? Glad you asked. The St. Charles County Parks Department along with members of the Gateway Off-Road Cyclists are leading a project that began last month. They will show volunteers how to build and maintain sustainable, natural-surfaced trails as they assist in extending the county’s 62-mile trail system. Nancy Gomer is the Marketing Coordinator for the St. Charles County Parks Department. Gomer says that trail carving happens throughout the year. “We offer spring, summer, fall and winter trail work days and everyone is invited to come out,” Gomer said. “With trails being our No. 1 requested amenity, our trail carving work never ends and is constantly in motion. Our trail stewards are constantly seeking connector trails and other areas where trails would be suitable to build.” The trails system continues to go with the help of longtime volunteers and community partners from Gateway Off-Road Cyclists. After a trail is flagged, the carving work begins. They also try to keep older mature trees and cut down as little as possible. Carving around obstacles is also key. There’s really no magical number used to determine how long our trails should be. Flowing trials are engaging to the user, so they do their best to deliver trails that guests want to ride again and again.

“It doesn’t just happen overnight, there’s an art to building a substantial trail system and we do a good job creating durable trails that last,” Gomer said. “St. Charles County Parks’ trails are built to endure thousands of hikers, bikers and horseback riders every day. We couldn’t do this without the support of our trail stewards and dedicated volunteers.” Trail enthusiasts and anyone of any age who wants to help leave their mark on a St. Charles County park is welcome to attend. These volunteer events are perfect for organizations seeking to give back to the community and individuals needing to fulfill community service hours. Volunteers are needed from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on these upcoming Saturday dates: Nov. 14 at Matson Hill Park at 670 Matson Hill Road in Defiance and on Dec. 12 at Klondike Park at 4600 Highway 94 S. in Augusta. Participants should bring a pair of gloves, sturdy boots, and safety glasses. Lunch will be provided to all who lend a helping hand. Organizations, individuals, and groups interested in helping with trail building should preregister. To volunteer, visit the St. Charles County Parks and Recreation Department’s website or call the Parks Department at 636-949-7535 to register. The Gateway Off-Road Cyclists was founded in 1998 by a handful of St. Charles area mountain bikers. Its first project involved the design and construction of a bicycle/hiking trail at Matson Hill Park. The club membership continues to grow and is the advocacy voice of mountain bikers representing the entire St. Louis metropolitan area in both Missouri and Illinois. GORC is a non-profit corporation dedicated to advocacy, design, construction, and maintenance of multiuse trails. GORC has been responsible for over 94 miles of new multi-use trail construction on public land in the St. Louis area along with maintenance trail events that have touched over 163 miles of trail in Eastern Missouri. In all cases, the trails were designed by GORC members, approved by the Park/Land Manager, and built with 100-percent volunteer labor.

Submitted photos The St. Charles County Parks Department is looking for volunteers of all ages to assist with fall and winter Trail Work Days. The next Trail Work Days is Nov. 14 at Matson Hill Park at 670 Matson Hill Road in Defiance.