Digging in – Trail work

season begins Wednesday

Spring in Durango means many things, but to local trail users, it signals the beginning of trail work season and a chance to give back. And to kick off another summer of pulaskis, work gloves and that warm, fuzzy feeling, Trails 2000 hosted its annual volunteer party this week at Ska Brewing.

According to Trails 2000 Executive Director Mary Monroe, the local trails advocacy group counts more than 2,600 members, 800 of whom volunteer for trail work. These, as well as other volunteers from various civic and church organizations, not to mention the occasional tourist looking to “give back,” account for nearly 3,500 hours of trail work every year.

But, as Monroe points out, more are always needed to help maintain Trails 2000’s roughly 150 miles of adopted trails. “This is a great community as far as getting word out, but we can always use more help,” she said.

Although trail work takes place four or five days a week, Wednesdays are Trails 2000’s “public nights,” where any and everyone are invited to pitch in. Typically drawing 25–35 people a week, public nights have been crucial for larger recent projects, such as the new Skyline Trail, completed last summer.

Trailwork season kicks off Wed., April 14, from 4-7 p.m. on the Nature Trail at 10th Street. Volunteers can come and go as necessary and should bring gloves, sturdy shoes and water. For more info, go to www.trails2000.org.

– Missy Votel