2014-Garden Park Trail Construction

Start Date-End Date: 10/18/2014-10/19/2014 Land Manager Office: BLM - Royal Gorge Field Office Land Manager Contact: Kalem Lenard Funding Partner: Programmatic Partner: Summary: Help build a new trail at Garden Park Fossil Area, an area known for its paleontological history and spectacular rock formations. Description: STEWARDSHIP SITE Formed by the same geologic upthrust that formed the more familiar Red Rocks and Garden of the Gods, Garden Park has its fair share of spectacular rock formations. That same upthrust also shifted fossils of the renowned Morrison Formation to the surface, making Garden Park a rich paleontological area. In addition, fossils of well-known species of large dinosaurs have been discovered at the site over the last 120 years and played a central part in the Bone Wars of the 19thCentury. VOLUNTEER PROJECT - WHAT & WHY VOC will return for a third year to help expand access for hikers, horseback riders, and mountain bikers in the region by constructing a new trail at Garden Park Fossil Area. Volunteers will construct new trail and build rock walls and steps where necessary. Trail construction techniques will be taught to those unfamiliar with them. The project requires an easy hike of approximately 0.5 mile to the work site. PARTNERS & SPONSORS BLM - Royal Gorge Field Office Xcel Energy REI ?Lockheed Martin The Boeing Company Oracle Clif Bar & Company Helen K. and Arthur E. Johnson Foundation OTHER FUN STUFF Meals: Meals will be provided Saturday breakfast through Sunday lunch. Camping: Free camping will be available Friday and Saturday. Latitude/Longitude: 38.44509887695312, -105.2177963256836 Additional Information: Camping Available: Yes Physical Difficulty: Moderate High Altitude Project: No Desired Number of Volunteers: 80 Total Adult Volunteers Attended: 84 Total Youth Volunteers Attended: 3 Total Volunteer Days: 85 Total Unique Volunteers: 59 Total Volunteer Hours: 673.5 Staff Hours: 38.5 Stipend Hours: 0 Project Summary: Successes and Challenges: Lessons Learned: Special Notes: Stewardship Education: On saturday evening a local hostorian came to talk with the group about the area and 2 famous archologist in the area. Key Concerns or Comments from Staff or Volunteers: Description of Accidents/Incidents: Description of Work Completed: On the weekend of October 18th and 19th about 50 volunteers came out to help construct new mountain bike trail at Garden Park. The trail was constructed on BLM land just outside of Canon City. The crew compeleted over 2286 feet of new trail, 1513 feet of improved trail, and over 100 feet of rock walls constructed. This was VOCs final project of the season and we saw good turn out from local volunteers.