RUTLAND—The city did not close Pine Hill Park during the ‘Shelter In Place’ order, and the park saw record numbers of pedestrians, mountain bikers. However, due to Covid-19, the much of the volunteer work the park relies on did not happen. In fact, they had no large volunteer groups this spring.
That means they lost about 2,500 volunteer hours this spring and summer with YES Plan (Rutland High school year end studies) and Youth Works.
Between these two groups they had hoped to finish Milk Run. Milk Run starts at Intersection 36 (Sore Elbow/Jigsaw) and goes slightly downhill, with two current bail out points on to Sore Elbow. What they hope to finish with a couple of community work nights is Milk Run to the bail out onto the double track of Sore Elbow. It is 211’ feet of trail that is broken out (organically removed) and needs finish work. Their plan is to have a couple of community work nights to move dirt on this section.
What they need from you is your help to dig dirt. They’ll supply tools, buckets. You need to bring your own bug spray, gloves and masks. Stay tuned to their Facebook Page, webpage and white board sign for when these community work nights dates. They will practice social distancing and safety guidelines while moving dirt.
VYCC (VT Youth Conservation Corp) reached out to in early February about potential projects. They do have projects that would be terrific to have their help, especially with no large volunteer groups. However, they have to find funding for VYCC. They have applied for several grants to offset their cost, which is $7500/week. They are waiting to hear back on a few applications and have been denied a couple of other grants at this point. If you know of any benefactors or folks who might be willing to help raise $15,000 for a two-week VYCC crew please, let let them know. We would love to utilize VYCC to finish off all of Milk Run. The section of Milk Run that has not been broken out yet is 1600’ long, which they were hoping to get done this year with YES Plan and Youth Works.
Pine Hill Partnership would like to thank the volunteers who cleaned out drainages this spring! Exit Strategy got a little TLC early on and is riding really well. New signs were made and are almost ready to put up in the park. The 211’ of Milk Run that needs finish work has been cleaned off of dead leaves for finish work to start. Master gardeners have been hard at work in the front entrance and it looks fantastic.
To folks who have renewed their Pine Hill Partnership membership, thank you very much for your support. T-shirts are in the process of being ordered and they hope to have them in early June. Folks who have not joined Pine Hill Partnership, please think about it as it is all volunteers that do the trail maintenance in the park. Your donation goes back into Pine Hill Park by purchasing tools and materials.
Please consider a donation to Pine Hill Partnership. Every little bit helps.
In other news, youth Mountain bike group will not be happening this year thanks to covid-19. Rec summer races are TBD. Women’s Mountain bike clinic and Gritty Girls have already been cancelled. For more information visit pinehillpark.org.
