Adopt-A-Trail Program Begins

Everyone loves walking and biking trails, but as more and more trails are being built throughout the area, this can put a strain on the time and resources of our county and city maintenance crews. Thanks to the Smith River Trail System's Adopt-a-Trail Program volunteers are helping to maintain trails and add enhancements to them for the community to enjoy. Tommy Wyatt (shown at left) is the team captain for a new Adopt-a-Trail group known as the "Friends of the Fieldale Trail". This group is working to enhance Phase I of the Fieldale Trail and is currently installing bluebird boxes along the trail. The public is invited to register for the Adopt-a-Trail Program and join in the fun of giving back to the community and environment.

What is it?
The Adopt-A-Trail Program is a volunteer program providing opportunities for walkers, bicyclists, and outdoor enthusiasts to assist The Dan River Basin Association (DRBA) in supporting Henry County Virginia Parks and Recreation and Eden North Carolina Parks & Recreation by monitoring, maintaining and enhancing trails and trailhead facilities along the Smith River Trail System.

Who can adopt a trail?
School and youth groups, scout troops, church, community and service organizations, businesses, families, individuals or groups of individuals can adopt a trail. Anyone with an interest in trails and the outdoors is welcome to help preserve our land and provide safe, enjoyable access to the outdoors.

What can volunteers do?
Activities include keeping the trail surface free of sticks, rocks and other debris, pruning small limbs from the trail corridor, cleaning waterbars and drainage ditches, and clearing debris from bridges and stairs. Other responsibilities include litter clean-up, maintaining the trailhead, and reporting vandalism, trail hazards or safety issues.

Why should you participate?
Adopting a trail provides an opportunity for you to be actively involved in conservation. Helping to maintain and enhance existing trails improves the resource for all to enjoy. The effort brings trail and nature enthusiasts closer to the environment and their community. Enjoy the time outdoors and personal satisfaction gained through volunteering on a local trail.

How to get started:
Contact Jennifer Doss at 276-634-2545 or jdoss@danriver.org to register, choose a trail, and learn about exciting volunteer opportunities. Once adopted, the section of trail will recieve a sign with your team's name and each team member will recieve a volunteer t-shirt to wear while working on the trails.

Smith River Trail System:
Lauren Mountain Preserve- Bassett, VA (Coming Soon)
Fieldale Trail- Fieldale, VA
-Phase I (0.9 mile) - Adopted by Friends of the Fieldale Trail
-Phase II (1.3 miles)
Uptown Spur Trail- Martinsville, VA (0.6 mile)
Dick & Willie Passage- Martinsville, VA (Coming Soon)
Doe Run Park- Martinsville, VA
-Doe Run Wildlife Trail (0.5 mile)
-Laurel Wildlife Trail (0.5 mile)
Gravely Nature Preserve- Ridgeway, VA
-Jones Cliff Trail (1 mile)
-Burgess Loop (0.4 mile)
-River View Trail (0.1 mile)
-Rhododendron Trail (0.5 mile) - Adopted by the Gardner Family
Smith River Greenway- Eden, NC (1.7 miles)

Mayo River Trail System:
Spencer-Penn Trails (Coming Soon)

Other Area Trails:
Beaver Creek Reservoir Trails (Coming Soon)
Wilson Park Trails (Coming Soon)