by John Roberts
More park use and reduced trail work is a recipe for trail deterioration. Covid has people flocking outdoors. For example, EBMUD staff reports a 60% increase in trail permits. Purchases of outdoor equipment has skyrocketed. Heightening such usage concerns, are Covid restrictions imposed for larger organized volunteer groups. The resulting trail deterioration is evident at Joaquin Miller Park (JMP). Nevertheless, the Covid vaccine is now becoming available to the most vulnerable. This has just started to mitigate some health risks enough, that BTCEB organized a larger work party.
The momentous event was held on 3/28/21. BTCEB Board member and JMP trail steward Tom Gandesbery organized the sign-up site which was shared with members of Friends of JMP, Oakland Bike Patrol, and BTCEB. All three organizations were well represented. Four trail projects were selected such that work pods comprised about three volunteers each. This facilitated Covid social-distancing. Tom also briefed the volunteers on safety, stating: “Do not stand any closer to someone than your tool can swing”. He dramatically demonstrated this by rotating 360 degrees with a tool in hand. He then showed how it is possible to use tools without having to raise them above waist height, again for safety reasons.
This project was unique because emphasis was placed on using deadwood scavenged from the park. Not only did this save money and helped mitigate other risks, it also allowed for the creative side of the volunteers to generate garden-like aesthetics to the finished product. More importantly, the repair work on top of the upper Palos Colorados trail made for a more sustainable trail and safer riding. In addition, the work on Sequoia Bayview trail also ensured emergency equipment can be made available to various areas of JMP. The amount of trail users thanking the volunteers that day was persistent.
BTCEB thanks its volunteers for generating a great working environment. With Covid protocols, volunteers made an extra sacrifice but also had a more profound impact on that day. This work goes beyond any one group, and it is work that all park users stand to appreciate and benefit from.
