Where You'll Be:
William Frederick Hayden Park sits atop Green Mountain, a prominent open space in the heart of Lakewood and one of the most well-loved urban parks on the west side of the Denver metro area. Originally donated by the Hayden family in 1972, the park now spans more than 2,400 acres, making it Lakewood’s second largest park.
Its extensive network of multi-use trails draws more than 250,000 visitors each year, offering an easy escape from the city for hikers, trail runners, mountain bikers, and families. From the 6,800-foot summit, visitors enjoy wide views of both downtown Denver to the east and the Front Range to the west, while the park also provides important habitat for wildlife including mule deer, elk, and great horned owls.
The specific location will be shared with all registered volunteers 2 weeks before the project.
What You'll Do:
After a major trail reroute in 2018, some hikers have been cutting switchbacks along the middle section of the Rooney Valley Trail to avoid bike traffic and take a more direct route. We will be responding to these hikers recreating patters helping build rock steps that create a designated pedestrian bypass.
This allows hikers a more direct route while keeping the longer, gently graded switchbacks intact for wheeled trail users. Volunteers will assist with the construction of rock steps.
Please bring your own lunch for the day.
Why it Matters:
The existing social trail follows a steep slope and is not sustainable. Continued use degrades wildlife habitat and spreads noxious weeds that threaten the native shortgrass prairie. Building this bypass helps protect sensitive habitat, reduces erosion, and supports the long-term goal of making every trail in William Frederick Hayden Park both sustainable and enjoyable.
Eligibility Requirements:
Ages 16+
Project Difficulty:
This project is considered moderate to difficult. Please check our difficulty rating criteria here for more details.
General physical considerations for participating on this project (Some or all may apply): moderate lifting and tool use; digging, shoveling, moving soil and rocks; repetitive bending, lifting, and walking; may require hiking to access work site while carrying tools; you can expect to bend over, pick objects up, move rocks, carry tools, swing heavy tools, dig, and stretch.
Access Factors:
Vehicle Access: 2WD accessible
Other Notes: The hike from the parking lot to the project site is about 2 miles uphill. The work area is heavily sun-exposed.
If you enjoy projects that include components of rock work, you can view similar projects here.
