Polk County Conservation
Make your mark on 1 of nearly 200,000 miles of trail throughout the U.S. this National Trails Day®! National Trails Day® is an annual event hosted by the American Hiking Society that encourages support of our nation’s public trails. Trails are an important part of urban and rural communities and have a positive impact on our mental and physical health. National Trails Day® is a day of public events aimed at advocacy and trail service that invites thousands of trail users of all shapes and sizes to our parks to engage in trail advocacy and service. Polk County Conservation invites you, your friends, and family out for a day of volunteerism and celebration in support of our beloved public trails here in Polk County. Volunteers will lend a hand creating a new trail at Fort Des Moines Park before gathering for an afternoon of food, fun, and community. *Free lunch, beverages, yard games, and a chance to win giveaways provided for all registered participants! REGISTRATION REQUIRED. No experience necessary. DATE & TIME Saturday, May 30th @ 9 AM - 1 PM EVENT SCHEDULE 8:30am to 9:00am: Volunteer check-in 9:00am to 9:30am: Project introduction and safety chat 9:30am to 12:00pm: Trail projects 12:00pm to 1:00pm: Complimentary lunch, giveaways, and games WEATHER *When trails are wet, they are susceptible to erosion, ruts, and compaction. As it is easier to prevent rather than repair damage to soils, we will be unable to work on trails if soils are wet and tacky. We will notify everyone by 7 AM on Saturday morning if we are unable to host our event on Saturday due to trail conditions.
Iowa Trails Council
-Construction of 2,400 linear feet of new trail at Fort Des Moines Park. -On Tuesday, November 2, 2021 voters supported the Polk County Water and Land Legacy Bond (PCWLL) in historic fashion passing the measure by 81%. Part of this money has been dedicated towards improving our paved and soft hiking trails. This National Trails Day project, staff training, and access to trail tools, has been made possible by the Polk County Water and Land Legacy Bond (PCWLLB). -In addition to funding from the PCWLLB, the Iowa Trails Council awarded Polk County Conservation with a $2500 grant to directly support trail creation at Fort Des Moines Park and our National Trails Day volunteer event.
For questions please contact: conservationvolunteers@polkcountyiowa.gov For day of event questions, please contact our volunteer coordinators: Melissa Dempsey | 515-323-5396 Julie Perreault | 515-323-5351 Polk County Conservation strives to host inclusive, accessible events and meetings that enable all individuals to participate. If you anticipate needing a modification due to a disability or have questions about accessibility, please contact us at 515-323-5300 or pccb_info@polkcountyiowa.gov.
Physical difficulty: Difficult - trail maintenance projects are more physically demanding and involves strenuous activities such as bending, twisting, squatting, hauling, lifting, and working on uneven terrain. Access to worksites may include longer distances and/or require hiking. If trail maintenance does not feel like a good fit for you but you would like to participate at National Trails Day in a different capacity, join this event as a Volunteer Support Crew Member! What to Bring: Dress for the weather. Required - closed-toe footwear. Recommended – long pants and shirt layers, long socks, work gloves, and clothes you don’t mind getting dirty. Gloves provided for those without. Support our commitment to sustainability by bringing a reusable water bottle to the event. Each event participant will be provided proper personal protective equipment and training as needed.
By registering for this event, I acknowledge I am filling an open position with a provided meal. In the event that I and/or members of my group are unable to attend, I will cancel my registration to allow for others to join this event.
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