Volunteers Needed for Trail Construction Effort in Garden Park
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CANON CITY, Colo. –Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado in partnership with the Bureau of Land Management Royal Gorge Field Office are looking for approximately 120 volunteers to assist with a large trail construction effort in Garden Park Fossil Area Oct. 5-6.
The volunteer effort will focus on expanding access for hikers, horseback riders and mountain bikers by constructing a new trail in the area. Volunteers will have the opportunity to help with trail construction as well as building rock walls and steps. Construction of the new trail began in 2012.
Garden Park Fossil Area, located approximately 6 miles north of Canon City, is a BLM Area of Critical Environmental Concern, a Colorado Research Natural Area and a National Natural Landmark. Fossils of well-known species of large dinosaurs have been discovered at the site over the last 120 years.
"Garden Park is a beautiful high-desert area that is somewhat unique to Colorado with a very rich and colorful history,” said Kalem Lenard, Outdoor Recreation Planner with the BLM Royal Gorge Field Office. “The trails volunteers are helping build provide a great experience touring this wonderful area."
No experience is necessary to volunteer. Meals will be available for registered volunteers from Saturday morning to Sunday afternoon, along with free camping on Friday and Saturday night. The weekend event will also include a paleontology presentation and a prize giveaway. The minimum age to participate is 14.
Volunteers are asked to register in advance to ensure adequate quantities of tools, supplies and food. Register for one or both days via the VOC volunteer project calendar at www.voc.org/volunteer or by calling 303-715-1010.
VOC is a statewide nonprofit volunteer organization dedicated to motivating and enabling people to be active stewards of Colorado’s natural resources. Since 1984, VOC’s award-winning volunteer, youth and leadership training programs have engaged more than 92,000 people of all ages in caring for Colorado’s outdoors – a total donated labor value of more than $18.6 million. Such volunteer efforts have made a lasting impact on Colorado through hands-on work in wildland fire restoration, trail building and maintenance, tree planting and re-forestation, and much more.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.