Parks Department Seeks Volunteers to Adopt Local Trails

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 26, 2012

For more information 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]

Kriste Lindberg, Education Specialist, City of Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department, (812) 327-1642 or [lindberk@bloomington.in.gov|mailto:lindberk@bloomington.in.gov]

Bloomington, IN - The city's 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 to help maintain and inspect these trails to keep them safe and usable.

"Early spring is a good time to recruit a new group of trail enthusiasts to help inspect and maintain our city trails," 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 allowing us to get the very most from our maintenance budgets."

Volunteers in the Adopt-A-Trail program are required to inspect their adopted trails at least once a month, and complete and submit a monthly report of the inspection. 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 Kriste Lindberg, 11 trails in the city park system are currently available for adoption, including the paved trail at [Miller-Showers Park|282], several hiking trails at [Griffy Lake Nature Preserve,|278] and trails at [Rev. Ernest D. Butler Park|273] and [Winslow Sports Park|296].

Groups and individuals who are interested in adopting a city trail for a minimum one-year period are invited to [submit an application to the Parks and Recreation Department|https://docs.google.com/a/bloomington.in.gov/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dFF0NjV0OVYyUnF2ODEwZ3dmb3VidXc6MA] by Feb. 3. Accepted applicants will attend an orientation session, and will meet parks and recreation staff at their 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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