TRAIL MAINTENANCE
Local staff of People Inc. volunteered in 2024 to clean brush and fallen tree branches from Trail 9. People Inc., like IMPACT, has a Volunteer Service Agreement with the DEC Foresters of Allegany County.
Keeping Trails Open, Safe, and Beautiful
Trail maintenance and improvement—IMPACT’s core functions—demand continuous surveillance of trails to spot hazards, determination of steps needed to remove the hazards, the organization of work teams and days, and the supervision of volunteers.
These functions are labor intensive: Hence IMPACT’s continuous search for volunteers from community groups and organizations as well by expanding and mobiliziing its own members to lend a hand in making the trails safer and more beautiful for everyone in every season.
Common hazards include falling or fallen trees, mudholes, and branches overhanging trails, which are especially dangerous for horses and their riders.
Greg Mueller, Supervising DEC Forester in Allegany County, discusses steps needed to remove a fallen tree on a popular trail in Phillips Creek State Forest. This job requires the use of heavy equipment and will be managed by DEC Foresters.
