2009-Pueblo Mountain Park Trail Improvement and Young Stewards Weekend

Start Date-End Date: 05/30/2009-05/31/2009 Land Manager Office: Land Manager Contact: Funding Partner: Programmatic Partner: Summary: Description: Calling all young stewards, families, and seasoned VOC volunteers! This project is just for you. Join VOC at Pueblo Mountain Park for our second annual Young Stewards weekend. While mom and dad are enjoying a work day on trail, young steward (ages 6 - 12) will participate in environmental education activities, guided hikes and a very special children's project. This 600 acre gem in the southern foothills of the Front Range was acquired by the City of Pueblo in 1920 thanks to the visionary conservationist, Arthur Carhart, who saw it as part of a larger system of parks to be developed for public education and recreation. Over the years, budget shortfalls and a lack of staff resources have left many of the trails throughout the park neglected. In 2008, management of the park and it historic structures was transferred to the Mountain Park Environmental Center, a 501c3 non-profit organization established in 1999, which is eager to catch up on deferred maintenance and realize the park's potential as a regional center for public recreation and environmental education resources. Nearly half of the Park's 6,000 annual visitors are school children for whom a field trip to the park is their first experience in the outdoors. VOC volunteers will focus on trail maintenance, upgrades and reroutes along the six miles of trail in the park that are most utilized by area school programs. Join us in expanding opportunities for kids to get outdoors and learn about their natural heritage! Project Fee: Free, Equipment Needed: Tent, Sleeping Bag, Appropriate Work Attire, Meals: Dinner and Breakfast Provided; Please Bring Lunch and Trail Snacks Latitude/Longitude: 38.0526918, -104.9987234 Additional Information: Camping Available: Physical Difficulty: Moderate High Altitude Project: Desired Number of Volunteers: 100 Total Adult Volunteers Attended: 109 Total Youth Volunteers Attended: 19 Total Volunteer Days: 120 Total Unique Volunteers: 85 Total Volunteer Hours: 1288 Staff Hours: 0 Stipend Hours: 0 Project Summary: Successes and Challenges: Lessons Learned: Special Notes: Stewardship Education: Key Concerns or Comments from Staff or Volunteers: Description of Accidents/Incidents: Description of Work Completed: