April with the Trails Crew

These are strange times…things have changed so quickly, and we’re all trying to adapt to circumstances without knowing how long they will continue. I’ve been walking on the trails, mostly out toward Lickinghole Basin, and it’s just weird to have to notice when people are approaching so I can find a wide place to move over and let them pass with six feet of clearance.

The Crozet Greenway is used by walkers, runners, bicyclists and dog-walkers–many more of us than there were a month ago. Please remember trail courtesy: runners yield to walkers, bicyclists yield to both, and dogs (even friendly ones) need to be on a leash.

Several local parks and recreation areas have been closed because people have not been able to keep safely spread out. With 10 miles of trails in Crozet, and many trail entrances, we have plenty of room to keep “social distance”. Please continue to allow plenty of room and don’t run or walk in groups, so we can continue to use our trails as the spring weather beckons us outdoors.

Trail Maintenance – We Really Need Your Help This Year

The trails are in great shape now, but you know that with a couple days of rain and another week of warm weather, the grass will be springing up and the brambles will be trying to take over. Although folks from Albemarle County Parks & Rec do the big mowing of the Connector Trail, there is a lot of maintenance that volunteers take on to keep the trails in great shape. Up til now, we’ve called work days and mowed and trimmed in a sociable group. But not this spring.

We’re asking for help from anyone who can. If you have pruners or loppers, and can take an hour to clear back vines from section of trail, please do! If you are able to mow a section or weed-whack a trail entrance, we need it done. If you want to perform a task, and need to borrow equipment for it, send an email to me at terrim@crozettrailscrew.org and we’ll make arrangements. (Our equipment is stored at Crozet Park so you’d need to be able to move it from there and back.) If you notice a place that needs work, and can’t get to it yourself, send me a message. We’re all in this together!

Thank You to “Eyes On the Trail” Volunteers

Eight people have volunteered to keep a regular check on our trails. It looks like we’ve got folks claiming responsibility in Old Trail, the entire Crozet Connector trail, and even the Henley Hornets trail out in Beaver Creek park.

Even if you’re not signed up as a regular volunteer, please drop me a message either on email (terrim@CrozetTrailsCrew.org) or via our web page or facebook page if you see anything amiss.

Another big “thank you” to the family that painted over the graffiti in the pedestrian tunnel beneath Eastern Avenue, creating chalkboards for our comments. It’s great to see people pitching in to help keep Crozet the great place we love.

Monthly Meeting via Videoconference

Everyone is invited to join our monthly meeting:
Thursday, April 23, 6:30-8:00 p.m.
We will be conducting the meeting via Zoom, which is accessible to most internet-connected devices, and also via telephone (audio-only). We will be discussing the state of the trails and plans for the next several weeks.

If you would like to attend, please request an invitation from terrim@CrozetTrailsCrew.org)