Do you hike in and around Sleeping Giant? Do you ever wonder: Who maintains the trails? How does it stay clean, clear, and safe?
The Sleeping Giant Trails Crew – those orange-shirted volunteers - meet weekly to keep the Park trails safe and free of invasives – plants, trash, and other interruptions of the natural beauty.
Trash: Considering the vast number of folks who hike the Giant (well over 150,000 last year), there is relatively little trash. Yet, each Sunday, we carry out 20-40 lbs. of human ‘leavings’.
Blazes: Alternating years: this year the North-South Trails (Red) and the Horse and Cross-County, last year the East-West Trails (Yellow, Orange, White, Blue, Green, and Violet). There’s a scraper, a brusher, and a painter on each ‘team’.
Trail obstructions: All those uprooted trees and fallen branches from Irene and Alfred…last year over 350 blow-downs (more than the total for the last 10+ years) from the two storms. Chainsaws, loppers, and muscles are us! (A big thanks here to all those who took machete, chain saw, or loppers out and help clear the fallen branches and trunks!)
Graffiti: ‘Erased’ as soon as we notice it. There’s oh so much more than you’d think!
Trail erosion: Trails Crew gathers up its tools, and moves eroded trails and repairs worn or damages bridges and stairs.
Invasive species: We often assist in the work of the Environmental Stewardship Committee in removing or reducing invasive species like Autumn Olive, Winged Euonymus, Garlic Mustard, and Japanese Barberry.
And…we have a good time doing it!
If you are interested in joining the Crew, we meet Sundays at the main kiosk and step off at 9:30 a.m. Sturdy shoes and work gloves recommended.
Just want to help out?
- Carry out what you carry in!
- Bring a trash bag to pick up after others
- Alert us to problems via the Facebook page
