City Parks Department Seeks Adopt-A-Trail Volunteers to Maintain, Improve Area Trails

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 2, 2015

For more information, please contact:
Kim Ecenbarger, Special Services Coordinator, City of Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department, 812.349.3739 or [ecenbark@bloomington.in.gov|mailto:ecenbark@bloomington.in.gov]

Josh Nickelson, Education Specialist, City of Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department, 217.415.7348 or [nickelsj@bloomington.in.gov|mailto:nickelsj@bloomington.in.gov]

Bloomington, Ind. - The Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department manages and maintains more than 30 miles of walking, hiking, and mountain biking trails in Bloomington city parks. Volunteers are needed for the Adopt-A-Trail (AAT) program to help maintain and inspect these trails to keep them safe and usable.

"Summer is a good time to recruit trail enthusiasts that are eager to help keep city-owned trails in good condition," said Kim Ecenbarger, special services coordinator with the Parks and Recreation Department. "Volunteers are a crucial part of our trail maintenance program, and are invaluable in helping us stretch our maintenance dollars so we have a trail system Bloomington can be proud of." [Nine trails in and around city parks are available for adoption.|image:12616,right]

AAT volunteers "adopt" all or part of a trail in and around city parks. The volunteers inspect the trail at least once a month, and complete and submit a monthly report of the inspection to the Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department. In addition, volunteers conduct at least one work day on their adopted trail each year. Parks and Recreation staff provides training and equipment, and works with the adopters to formulate a work plan.

According to education specialist Josh Nickelson, nine trails in the city park system are available for adoption, including two sections of the B-Line Trail, a portion of the Clear Creek Trail, and one hiking trail at Griffy Lake, as well as the Bryan Park Trail, Winslow Sports Complex Fitness Trail, Winslow Woods Nature Trail and trails at Park Ridge East Park and Olcott Park.

Groups and individuals interested in becoming AAT volunteers for at least one year are invited to apply by June 26. Accepted applicants attend an orientation session, and meet Parks and Recreation Department staff onsite at the adopted trail for a tour and additional instructions.

For more information about the Adopt-A-Trail program, or to see a list of trails that are available for adoption and apply to adopt a trail, [visit the AAT Web site|529] or contact Kim Ecenbarger at 812.349.3739 or [ecenbark@bloomington.in.gov.|mailto:ecenbark@bloomington.in.gov].

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