Headwaters Trails Alliance Adopt-A-Trail Project

The HTA Adopt-A-Trail Program - Outdoor recreation is vital to the physical and economic health of Grand County. Maintenance of multi-use trails is a critical component of sustaining our outdoor recreation opportunities. Due to budget cuts, land management agencies in recent years have been unable to provide the intensive, consistent monitoring and maintenance required to keep trails accessible for all users. Increasingly, these agencies and the local community have looked to Headwaters Trails Alliance (HTA) to provide the financial resources as well as the leadership, management, and supervision for necessary trail maintenance. The Adopt-A-Trail program (AATP) gives groups and individuals the opportunity to provide some of the labor hours and resources needed to repair and maintain the trails. Based on a collaborative effort involving Headwaters Trails Alliance, USFS, Fraser Valley Partnership for Trails, Winter Park/Fraser Valley Chamber of Commerce, Town of Winter Park, Winter Park Resort, Colorado State Trails, Great Outdoors Colorado, committed adopters and volunteers, the AATP is flourishing. More adopters sign on each day and the quality of our trails is improving.

. HISTORY	PACKET FOR FIRST TIME ADOPTERS	REQUIREMENTS
RECOGNITION AND BENEFITS	ADOPTED and AVAILABLE TRAILS	FINAL REPORT

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HISTORY

The Headwaters Trails Alliance (HTA) Adopt-A-Trail Program (AATP) was started in 1993 by a local mountain bike organization called Winter Park Fat Tire Society (WP FATS). Due to United States Forest Service (USFS) budget cuts and an increase in trail use by locals and tourists alike, trails were being used to a greater degree than they were being maintained. WP FATS recognized this problem and started the AATP, in conjunction with the USFS, to help solve the problem. When WP FATS dissolved in 1996, the AATP became part of the Fraser Valley Partnership for Trails (FVPT), a nonprofit volunteer organization in the Winter Park/Fraser area. FVPT ran the AATP as an entirely volunteer, grassroots program until the spring of 2001. In the spring of 2001, Headwaters Trails Alliance assumed responsibility for, and management of, the AATP. Expansion and continued operations of the program are based on a collaborative effort involving Headwaters Trails Alliance, United State Forest Service, Fraser Valley Partnership for Trails, Colorado State Trails, Great Outdoors Colorado, and National Forests Foundation.

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RECOGNITION AND BENEFITS

Adopted sections of trails will be clearly marked with signs recognizing the group or individual who has adopted the trail. A certificate of appreciation will be given by HTA and USFS. All adopters will be recognized in the local paper and at a year end get-together.

One of the main benefits of adopting a trail, besides the recognition and the good “clean” fun to be had on a trail crew, is that you will be helping the local economy and broadening your own recreational opportunities. Tourism in Grand County relies on multi-use access to the network of trails. People come from all over the country to ride the trails in and surrounding the Mountain Bike Capital USA™. Without the support of adopters and committed recreationists, many trails would be closed due to unhealthy conditions and a lack of funding to repair them. Without access to these trails the summer economy in Grand County would surely wane.

The AATP has only become a success thanks to interested volunteers and the hundreds of volunteer hours which they have devoted to continuing the healthy use of trails thought Grand County. These trails support our lifestyle and community and deserve to be maintained appropriately.

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Fraser Life Group - Trail Adopters REQUIREMENTS

Basic Adoption Program – For HTA’s supervised trails

Adopters are required to complete the first two items as well as either the third and/or fourth.

1. Complete a natural resources inventory and document the results.
2. Pick up trash at least once during the summer and document the results.
3. Complete at least one work day with HTA supervision. Adopter is responsible for coordinating with AAT Coordinator as to date of work.

and/or

4. Contribute a minimum of $100 in any combination of cash or in-kind contributions.

In addition to completion of the natural resources inventory and trash removal, adopters have the opportunity to complete any of the following tasks without direct HTA supervision. This list is exclusive. HTA AAT Coordinator must be notified either before or immediately after work is done. This may be done by means of a phone call. Adopters need to complete a “record of work completed” form, provided by HTA, to document their personal accomplishments. Any work performed without the direct supervision of HTA is greatly appreciated but will not be considered as completion of “day or work” option or fulfillment of adoption contract.

1. Removal of debris obstructing existing water drainages.
2. Removal of loose rock and other debris from trail tread.
3. Trimming brush and pruning trees within clearing limits.
4. Removal of downed trees obstructing the trail. This does not include felling of hazardous trees or leaners. Handsaws are the only acceptable tool for this task.

The following tools may be used to accomplish work without the direct supervision of HTA. Eye protection must be worn when any work is being completed. Sunglasses are acceptable. In addition, hard hats must be worn when using tools #6, #7, #8, and #9 and may be borrowed from HTA.

1. Pruners
2. Shovels
3. Hand saws
4. McLeods
5. Garden rakes

6. Pulaskis
7. Picks
8. Axes
9. Rock Bars

Work which will be permitted only with the direct supervision of HTA includes, but is not limited to, the following items:

1. Chainsaw work of any kind. Under no circumstances are chainsaws to be used for any of the preceding tasks.

2. Building of any new structures including but not limited to water bars, drainage ditches, rolling dips, rock walls, switchbacks, turnpikes, bridges, puncheons, or boardwalks.

3. Limbing of branches above the head.

4. Felling of hazard trees or leaners.

Specifics of the work and/or donations are negotiable but must be coordinated with, and reported to, the AATP Coordinator. If an adopter takes the option of a day of work or completing a project on their trail, they should be aware that the work is physical, involves heavy lifting and exposure to the elements. Now adopters have the opportunity to complete some additional work without direct HTA or USFS supervision. Details of this work are available upon request.

Headwaters is also now offering an advanced adoption. The advanced adoption is intended for those groups who have demonstrated their capacity to perform trail work with less direct supervision from HTA or USFS. Advanced adoptions must be approved by both HTA and USFS. Details are available from HTA upon request. Individuals who are interested in volunteering man hours/service but do not have the time or resources to adopt an entire trail are urged to join other crews doing trail work. Please call HTA or the USFS for specific dates and times.

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