2018-BLM/USFS SWAT: Trail Maintenance at Cherry Creek State Park

Start Date-End Date: 05/24/2018-05/24/2018 Land Manager Office: CPW - Cherry Creek State Park Land Manager Contact: David Myers Funding Partner: BLM - Colorado State Office Programmatic Partner: Summary: BLM and USFS employees will come out to Cherry Creek State Park to help with trail maintenance on the popular Lake Loop Trail. Description: The Lake Loop trail system is a high use area offering easy access to the lake shore for picnicking, fishing, paddle-boarding, and Kayaking. With heavy rains multiple access trails from the parking area to the shore have been damaged by erosion. These trails are connected by a social trail which we will rebuild into an established trail. Volunteers will resurface the trail with Crusher Fine material, construct drainage structures and potentially cut some new trail as well. Latitude/Longitude: 39.63164, -104.8762 Additional Information: Camping Available: No Physical Difficulty: Easy, Moderate High Altitude Project: No Desired Number of Volunteers: 50 Total Adult Volunteers Attended: 15 Total Youth Volunteers Attended: 0 Total Volunteer Days: 15 Total Unique Volunteers: 15 Total Volunteer Hours: 105 Staff Hours: 15.5 Stipend Hours: 0 Project Summary: On Thursday, May 24th, fifteen volunteers from the Bureau of Land Management and the US Forest Service joined together at Cherry Creek State Park to help create a more sustainable trail system on the Lake Loop Trail. The Lake Loop trail system is a high use area offering easy access to the lake shore for picnicking, fishing, paddle-boarding, and kayaking. With heavy rains, many shore trails have been damaged by erosion. The project day started slowly, as Denver traffic encumbered most volunteers. Cherry Creek State Park impressed with the presence and participation of six staff members, who all arrived early to prepare materials. Cherry Creek Staff also led work crew throughout the day. After lunch, VOC was joined by a group of high schoolers. David had informed VOC staff that they would be attending the day before, but indicated that they would not affect VOC. This wasn't entirely true, as VOC volunteers essentially became Crew Leads to around 8 high school students per group. The Project Manager checked in with VOC volunteers to make sure they were comfortable with this last minute change, and theyseemed happy to have a break, with new and young volunteers in the mix. Spreading a total of 71 tons of crusher fine, volunteers transformed348 ftof social trails into new and sustainable trail and maintained 147 ftof existing trails. To further prevent flood damage and erosion, volunteers installed 6check steps and 3 timber steps. Successes and Challenges: The collaborative environment was highly successful with experienced, flexible, and enthusiastic volunteers. The volunteers were able to complete all work that Cherry Creek State Park provided. The project day was beautiful, sunny and warm creating an excited energy for volunteers to be outside on a Thursday. Cherry Creek State Park also created public outreach space for Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado, with several people approaching VOC staff asking for more information about the project and program. A notable challenge for the project was lack of material. Overall, Cherry Creek State Park received less crusher fine than they had anticipated. This led to a thinner layer of material than desired. Volunteers also had to frequently wait for more crusher fine to be delivered to the desired locations. Another challenge of the project was a last-minute addition of high school volunteers. Cherry Creek State Park staff had communicated this addition the day before project but had stated that it would not change VOC project plans. However, once the high school volunteers arrived, VOC volunteers were quickly expected to lead groups consisting of several high schoolers. Also, with so many hands and dwindling work, VOC volunteers had no clear work plan for the afternoon. Lessons Learned: It would be beneficial to go over roles and responsibilities with Cherry Creek State Park staff, as our VOC volunteers should not have had to lead crews of high schoolers. Cherry Creek State Park has many bugs, important to bring the bug spray! Special Notes: The Starbucks on Parker and Peoria was an excellent donation partner for this event. Their branch manager, Becca, was extremely nice and helpful. Stewardship Education: Key Concerns or Comments from Staff or Volunteers: Description of Accidents/Incidents: Description of Work Completed: