PRESERVING THE CUYAHOGA VALLEY NATIONAL PARK
As part of FOX SupPORTS OHIO community outreach initiaitive, FOX Sports Ohio staffers and Girls, Hallie and Sara, recently teamed up for a volunteer event at the Cuyahoga Valley National Park (CVNP). The group rolled up their sleeves and spent the morning spreading a dirt and stone mixture called “trail mix” over a portion of the Virginia Kendall Lake trail. This process helps to reinforce and preserve the trail for runners, walkers, and hikers.
Under the supervision of Cuyahoga Valley National Park Ranger Josh Bates and park volunteers, the FSO group moved trail mix in wheelbarrows, spread the mixture with rakes and shovels, and packed it down with tampers. While working, they learned a lot about Virginia Kendall Lake and the surrounding areas.
Trail maintenance projects such as these are essential for the park. Without constant maintenance (trimming branches, clearing culverts, and reinforcing trails), the park system would be difficult to use and trails may even become dangerous.
The Cuyahoga Valley National Park depends on volunteers to preserve this precious local resource. There are many opportunities to volunteer - short and long-term opportunities, weekday and weekend opportunities, youth and corporate group opportunities, individual and family opportunities. To learn more about volunteering in CVNP and other ways to support your national park visit- www.conservancyforcvnp.org/help/ or call 330-657-2299.
