Trail Work Parties
The Blue-Blazed Hiking Trail System is maintained entirely by volunteers -- your help is always welcome!
CFPA's trail volunteers perform a variety of trail maintenance tasks such as trimming overgrowth, removing blowdowns, and installing waterbars, rock steps, and bridges. No experience required.
Join one of the Trail Maintenance activities listed below.
Roving Trail Crew Activities and Trail Work Parties
CFPA's two Roving Trail Crews hold work parties year-round on an as-needed basis around the state. There is an East crew and a West crew and they often have several special projects lined up on one of the Blue-Blazed Hiking Trails. If you are interested in helping with Roving Trail Crew activities, call CFPA at 860-346-2372 or let us know by email. Note that many of these activities take place midweek.
Blue-Blazed Hiking Trail work parties are scheduled in the spring and fall by individual Trail Managers who can use extra hands for a project. These trail maintenance projects are published in our trail volunteer newsletter, The Blue Blaze. Please fill out a CFPA Volunteer Information Form if you wish to be added to The Blue Blaze mailing list.
CFPA's Trails Committee conducts two very popular hands-on trail workshops during the year. Led by seasoned trail volunteers, these workshops are open to Land Trusts, Conservation Commissions, Park/Rec Commissions, and anyone who is interested in learning to construct and maintain hiking trails. The Winter Trail Workshop takes place in late January or early February at CFPA; seating is limited to 60. The Spring Trail Maintainence Workshop is usually held in late April at a selected State Park or Forest, where we work to improve the area's Blue-Blazed Hiking Trails.
Fall 2008 Work Parties
PARTICIPANTS SHOULD WEAR STURDY SHOES AND WORK GLOVES, BRING WATER AND LUNCH OR A SNACK. LEADERS WILL PROVIDE TOOLS, BUT PLEASE BRING YOUR OWN IF YOU HAVE THEM. ALL PROJECTS TAKE PLACE RAIN OR SHINE UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED; IF UNSURE OF WEATHER, CALL LEADER BEFOREHAND.
Saturday, November 8: Blue-Blazed Pattaconk Trail, Cockaponset State Forest, Chester, 9:00 a.m. Trail maintenance, including trail brushing and possible drainage work along the Pattaconk and Cockaponset Trails. Wear sturdy shoes, work gloves; bring water and a snack, and loppers or pruning shears. Leader will bring extra tools for those who do not have them. Meet at yellow forest gate on Route 148 at Filley Road, just west of Cypher Road in Chester (look for Cockaponset Trail sign on north side of Route 148). Rain cancels; snow does not. Leader Rob Butterworth, 860-345-8029. RSVP requested but not required.
Sunday, November 16: Blue-Blazed Pachaug Trail, Voluntown. Trail Maintenance. Meet at 10:30 a.m. at Two Brothers Café parking lot off Route 138 in Voluntown. Light brush cutting, some blaze painting. Bring lunch, brush cutters, clothing that can get paint spills. If weather is questionable, call leader. Leader: Duncan Schweitzer, 860-535-0763.
>> MARK YOUR CALENDARS! <<
CFPA Winter Trail Workshop, Saturday, January 31, 2009, 8:45 am - 4:00 pm
Details will be posted here later this fall.
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We hope you'll join us and give some time to the Blue-Blazed Hiking Trails!
Directions to Connecticut Forest & Park Association, Route 66, Middlefield