Adopt-A-Trail Program

Volunteer List

The goal of our Adopt-A-Trail Program is three fold.
Maintain and improve trails to help control erosion and ensure that trails stay open to bikers.
Provide trail users with opportunities to make a positive impact to the local trail network.
Record volunteer hours donated in local park systems

The primary focus of the Adopt-A-Trail program is trail trimming to maintain corridors passable. Invasive species of green briar and multiflora rose aggressively encroach onalmost all local trails. If trail trimming is maintained by volunteers of the Adopt-A-Trail Program, then the regularly scheduled monthly work parties can concentrate resourcs on larger trail improvements or other more-involved trail maintenance. In addition to trail trimming, volunteers are encouraged to do minor deberming of the trail to help drain low spots. Volunteers will also be expected to monitor their trails for erosion, downed trees and other potential problems, and report these to the major trail work party leaders for correction.

Most trails will need to be trimmed at least twice during the summer months. It should take less than two hours per clippping to trim a section in the Adopt-A-Trail program. All of the trails can be easily accessed by bicycle and the only tools needed are a pair of clippers that can be carried in a small backpack. Your total time commitment should be less than six hours per year.

The Delaware Trailspinners would like to maintain their philosophy of keeping single-track trail tread at 18 inches. This creates a narrow trail that minimizes impact on the environment as well as maximizes fun on the bike. Vegetation like multiflora rose are non-native alien species and can be trimmed aggressively. Smaller multiflora rose bushes should be pulled out by the roots. Pulling out these alien species by the roots will give preferable native species of plants a chance to take root and get established and will eliminate having to trim the same bushes again and again. Green briar is a native plant and has several different species, some of which are endangered plants in this area. These plants are extremely hardy and may be aggressively trimmed but should not be pulled out by the roots. Spice bush grows very quickly and can be trimmed aggressively. Other hardwoods and saplings should not be cut unless necessary and should never be trimmed back more than one foot past the edge of the 18 inch tread width. Single-track trail does not need to be trimmed above a height of 7 feet. Pictures and descriptions of the above mentioned plants will be given out with the Adopt-A-Trail pamphlet.

All sections of trail are numbered and are less than two miles in length. Some sections of trail that require extensive trimming are much shorter. Each volunteer may sign up for as many sections as they would like. Two or more people can share a section and coordinate trimming. Requests for trail sections will be given out on a first-come, first-serve basis. Of course, if you abandon your trail, we will assign it to someone else.

There is also a need for mowing from time to time. To volunteer to mow you must be a club member, be able to transport mowers to and from the club shed, and be registered with the park officials.

To adopt a section of trail or for more information please contact our Adopt-A-Trail Coordinator, Steve Matsen or call 410-620-3195. Once you have signed up for a section you will be sent a map, pictures and descriptions of protected plants, and additional instructions on how to maintain your trail. Many trails are still open, waiting for someone to adopt them!