If you hike the trails at Kings Gap State Park and want to give back to the park for your hiking enjoyment, there is no better way than by volunteering to work on trail maintenance. No experience is necessary and everyone is welcome.
You can volunteer to help by joining other volunteers on regularly scheduled volunteer workdays or by joining a trail crew.
Volunteer Workday Participant
Trail care is for individuals 12 and older and you don’t have to know how to use chainsaws and pickaxes to participate. If you can handle a pair of garden pruners or loppers, pick up a bag of trash or paint blazes on a tree, you’re qualified. Volunteer workdays usually occur one day per month from April through October. Volunteer work days are a great way to gain experience and learn basic trail maintenance skills.
Trail Crew Member
Trail crews are made up of individuals who have been trained in various aspects of trail construction and maintenance. Persons age 18 or older—of all backgrounds—are welcome to join a trail crew at Kings Gap. Enthusiasm, good health, physical vigor, and adaptability are vital. As a trail crew member, you will be trained in the various aspects of trail construction and maintenance, safety, and the use of trail construction tools, including power tools such as chainsaws and brush saws. Trail crews work more often than one day a month and may, in some cases, spend a weekend working on the trails at Kings Gap.
The Job of the Trail Maintainer
Trail maintenance involves a wide variety of tasks. As a maintainer, you may be involved with:
- Monitoring trails
- Clearing brush
- Removing obstacles
- Constructing waterbars
- Building bridges
- Maintaining signs and blazes
How to Become a Trail Maintainer
Trail maintainers must complete and submit the online Conservation Volunteer Application before performing trail work.
For additional information about Volunteer Workdays or Trail Crews, call the Volunteer Coordinator at 717-486-3799 or submit your request via e-mail.