Sunday Work Day
Pruning and Trimming the Perimeter Trail at Crozet Park
On Sunday afternoon, January 17, the Trails Crew will clear brush and branches from the Perimeter Trail in Crozet Park. If we can get enough people out, this won’t take long, and it will keep the trail clear when regrowth begins in the spring. We will provide tools (although you’re welcome to bring your own if you have a favorite) and will mostly involve pruning. This is a good project for families that want to work together. Meet at the CTC storage shed (directions below) at 1:00. Dress for the weather, bring your mask, wear work gloves and sturdy shoes. Sign up is required: please click here. We will follow our COVID-19 safety rules (see below).
Directions: Take Park Street to the Crozet Park entrance. Follow the driveway to the left of the pool, then straight back to the parking lot/basketball court. The CTC storage shed is adjacent to the Community Building (formerly called the Radio Building).
Saturday Work Day
On Saturday morning, January 23, at 9:00 a.m. we will improve the Rowcross Trail, west of Rowcross Street, where it descends to follow Lickinghole Creek towards the future Western Park. Albemarle County is out there with their equipment this week, making the grassy part of the trail down the hill much better, but the section between the slope and the creek will need some muscles swinging picks, mattocks, and shovels as we dig into the hillside to make the trail wider and flatter. We will provide tools; come ready for the weather, and be sure to wear good shoes and gloves. Sign up by clicking here.
Directions: From Jarmans Gap Rd. turn south into Old Trail Dr. At the third traffic circle (ACAC is at the corner) take the third exit to Golf Dr., heading away from the golf course. At the end of the street, meet at the trail entrance on the opposite side of Rowcross St.
Monthly Meeting Thursday, January 28
We will hold our monthly meeting on Thursday, January 28, at 6:30-8:00 p.m. via Zoom. Everyone is welcome to be part of it! If you want to attend, send an email to terrim@crozettrailscrew.org. I will email the meeting link and the agenda before the meeting.
Thanks to Our Volunteers Who Keep the Trails Open!
Lots of folks have pitched in to help over the last few weeks. Jimmy, age 11, from BSA Troop 79, and Sadie, age 7, Wolf Cub Scout from Pack 79, took an afternoon from their winter break to clean up the directional arrows along the Crozet Connector Trail. It took a five mile hike, but they found them all.
Recent storms have brought down a few trees, but none so large we couldn’t handle them with the equipment we have. Here’s one, after it was cleared off the trail near Lickinghole Basin by John, Schuyler, and David:
| Guidelines for Safe Work Days During the Pandemic 1. Work groups will be limited in size All groups will be limited to 10 people or fewer, depending on the space we will be working in. When we go out to prune and trim a trail, we’re able to spread out, so as many as 10 people may be OK. If we are working in a smaller space, the numbers will be smaller. 2. Everyone must sign up in advance This allows us to control the size of groups, and to follow up with you in case contact tracing is needed. There will be links to Sign Up Genius pages for each work day. PLEASE: If you sign up and then have to cancel, remove your Sign Up so we have enough workers for every project! 3. Masks are required; work gloves are encouraged We will need to wear masks when we are close together–I anticipate this will be when we gather to discuss the work to be done. Once we are spread out, and are not within a few feet of each other, masks can be removed. Please be aware of trail users, though, and make sure to step aside to allow space if people pass on the trail. 4. Disinfectant wipes will be available to clean tools at the beginning and end of work, and when transferred between people. The Trails Crew doesn’t have an unlimited supply, so it would be great if you bring your own. 5. A hand washing station will be available with soap, water, paper towels, and hand sanitizer. If you can bring your own hand sanitizer, please do! 6. Social Distancing will be required. Please keep at least 6 feet distance from others not in your household. 7. Don’t come if you don’t feel well. If anyone in your household is experiencing COVID symptoms, or has been exposed to a person with COVID, please stay home. The trails will still need your help when you are well. |