Project Summary - National Trails Day 2011

"National Trails Day, which this year was on Saturday June 4, is celebrated across the country with hundreds if not thousands of hikes, trail work parties and other events.

The Friends of Mianus River Park organized three events in the park for that day and one for the next day, Sunday June 5.

Trail Building

Ryan Tucker, the President of the Friends group, led a trail party to improve a section of the New Trail, which was suffering from serious erosion. On the first Saturday of each month volunteers meet at the bridge near the Red Barn at 9 am to work on trails in the park. For National Trails Day this regular group of volunteers was supplemented by a group from Greenwich Associates and as Ryan explained this allowed them to get a "huge amount of work done."

Riverbank Restoration

Mary Ellen Burns, from the Friends group, led a second trail party which installed fencing along a badly eroded section of the river bank. The City of Stamford donated several truck loads of earth and when planted this section will be allowed to reestablish itself over time. Dogs love to swim in the river but unfortunately this causes serious erosion of the river bank and several other sections badly need similar protection. More >

Welcoming...

Friends group volunteers also manned tables at both the Stamford and Greenwich entrances to the park, giving out free maps of the park, explaining the aims of the Friends group, collecting names and email addresses of those interested in receiving updates about the park, and for the first time signing up new members of the Friends group. Park users showed encouraging interest and a number joined the group. Funds raised will be used for park improvements.

Sunday Hike

On Sunday, June 5, Friends' group volunteers Pete Sofman and David Roberts led a hike in the park, which introduced participants to some of the less well know trails and hidden corners of the park.

In addition to the regular trail work on the first Saturday of each month the Friends group plans to organize other events in the park on an ongoing basis.

Visit the gallery section to view photos of the various work done and see volunteers in action...

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