Trail Maintenance, New Trail Maps & Markings by Volunteers

by | Jul 27, 2023 | Community, On the Trail, Scouts, Trails, Volunteers

Trail Maintenance, New Trail Maps & Markings by Volunteers 

Though plans had been in the works all year, unseasonably wet weather in the Spring and early Summer months of this year prevented the Trail Committee from cutting grass and performing normal maintenance on some trails in the Broughton Nature and Wildlife Education Area (The Park). Trail Committee Chair Leight Murray said, “Every effort is being made to catch-up as weather permitted. Most trails are currently free from deadfall and tall grasses.” 

After extensive planning in fourth quarter of 2022, goals for 2023 included updating and replacing the large maps located at each principal entrance to the park: at the Devola Multi Use Trail parking lot, at the James-Fisher Riverside Park, and all thirty-four trail intersection maps located throughout the Broughton trail system. 

The trail intersection maps were removed from posts, repurposed, updated with new maps, and re-installed in mid-April by volunteers Frances Ruckesbosch and Kelly Nicholas, members of Girl Scouts Troop 10129. Troop 10129 is led by Laurel Nicholas. Miss Ruckesbosch and Miss Nicholas also assembled more than 600 trail blazes using colored films applied to pvc boards to mark each trail by color and volunteered to install them. 

For their exceptional work, Frances and Kelly received the GSA Silver Award. Girl Scout Troop 10129 will host a picnic at the Broughton Nature and Wildlife Education Area in their honor. 

Leight Murray said, “We can’t thank these young ladies and their leader, Laurel Nicholas, enough as we finally witness this long-awaited project finally come to fruition!”

Updated Trail Marking Schedule

  • Cyan Trail Completed July 1, 2023
  • Emerald Trail Completed July 4, 2023
  • Lime Trail In Completed July 15, 2023
  • Orange Loop Completed April 30, 2023
  • Pink Trail In Progress
  • Purple Trail Completed July 21, 2023
  • Red Loop Completed May 30, 2023
  • Silver Trail Completed July 1, 2023
  • White Trail In Progress
  • Yellow Trail Completed June 15, 2023

Murray explained that, “Trail blazes are spaced approximately 50 to 1,250-feet apart based on elevation change, foliage density, trail configuration, and topography. 

Installation began at the end of April and has progressed steadily. The remaining work will be completed by July 30, 2023. Some minor adjustments will continue to optimize efficiency and visibility.  Even with the delayed start, about 85% of the work planned for this year was completed April-May-June.”