News
Hundreds take part in National Trails Day work
Miranda Grubbs, Camera Staff Writer
June 7, 2008
More than 200 volunteers showed up to help build a section of Picture Rock Trail, which connects Heil Valley Ranch to Lyons, for National Trails Day on Saturday. According to organizers, the event was the largest volunteer trail project ever in Boulder County, almost doubling the previous record, from a 1997 Rabbit Mountain project. "We crushed the record for getting boots and shovels onto the ground," said Herschel Goldberg, director of community and public relations for Boulder Mountainbike Alliance, which partnered with Boulder County Open Space to organize the project.
Volunteers worked on an 8,400-foot section of the trail from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. Afterward, they enjoyed a barbecue, with beer-can chicken provided by Oskar Blues Grill and Brewery. "We got a trail that stretches as far as the eye can see done in a few hours," said volunteer Chris Linas, 21, of Boulder. Organizers expect the trail to open some time before October after the remaining 1,500 feet have been built. "We took months off of the construction timeline today," said Mike Barrow, president of the Boulder Mountainbike Alliance.
When completed, the five-mile path will connect existing trails in Heil Valley Ranch to the town of Lyons and will allow for the continuation of trails into Hall Ranch. Barrow said he expects the much-anticipated multi-user trail to immediately become one of the county's most popular.
Several volunteers said Saturday's work was an enjoyable experience all around. "They had it organized really well," said volunteer Linda Repay, 61, of Longmont, who said she's excited to use the trail when it opens. Organizers credited the high attendance to diligent recruiting efforts on the part of several partners in Saturday's event, including Boulder County Horse Association, Oskar Blues and Recreational Equipment Inc. "It's been a great partnership," said Matt Bruce, volunteer work project coordinator for Boulder County Parks and Open Space. According to Bruce, plans are in the works for volunteers to maintain the trail in the future as well.