Page 21 - Wallingford Magazine Issue 47 Spring 2024

by Beau Campbell
Recreational Trails in Wallingfor
Recreational Trails in Wallingfor d &
d &
Recreational Trails in Wallingford &

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Have you ever been outdoors hiking or biking on trails through the woods and wondered to yourself “who creates Volunteers at work TWG Volunteers TWG volunteers in Tyler Mill Scott at tree blowdown site
and maintains these trails?” This thought occurred to me one day recently while I was out walking with my pet dog
Denslow, in Wallingford’s Tyler Mill Recreation area. The two of us head out there several times each week for some guson Woods. Denslow and I have They got out their chain saws and
much needed exercise and fresh air. We have been doing so for many years, and as of last year we have noticed some When we first met, Scott Gray hand- hiked Ferguson Woods on many oc- safety gear, and within minutes the
positive changes. What’s been going on out here, we wondered? ed me his “business card” and asked casions, and we know the terrain. On fallen tree was cleared off the trail.
me if I would be interested in volun- hot summer days we like to cruise “Piece of cake” was all Scott had to
nitially we discovered a newly con- brambles on the Pink trail. As we teering on future work assignments. down the Yellow trail to the stream, say, stowing away his chainsaw with
Istructed Bog Bridge that allows approached, they asked us if we I eagerly gave him my contact info. where it’s cool and shady. We espe- a smile.
hikers to cross a wet and muddy would mind taking a minute to an- Dianne Lendler explained that when cially enjoy resting along the small
section on the Green trail. This was swer a few questions. This is when work assignments require addition- cascading falls, over by the pond. Afterwords when signing out, we
quite a surprise, as this site was al- I met Scott Gray and Dianne Len- al hands, they will contact those of were all beaming with gratitude for

ways a soggy, muddy mess which we dler. They introduced themselves as us willing to volunteer. I had always On this volunteer workday I left this opportunity to meet new friends
usually avoided. Now we were able coordinators of the recently formed wanted an opportunity to give back Denslow home, and showed up with and contribute towards the good
to cross here safely, keeping clean Wallingford Trails Work Group. to my community, and now I was my gloves, clippers, lunch, and bug of our community. We were now a
and dry. This new Bog Bridge was thrilled about the prospect of being spray. As I greeted Scott and Dianne, group of newly bonded volunteers,
indeed a great improvement. Dianne asked me if I visit Tyler Mill included. They said a work party was I was surprised to see another nine and we all asked, “What’s next?”
often, and if so, what are my favorite being organized for next week, and I fellow volunteers already signed in
Then in early spring we discovered trails? Scott asked me which trails will surely get an invite. and ready to go. Scott gave us a brief The Wallingford Trails Work Group
another surprise. One of our favor- I usually don’t utilize, and why. For overall job description, including a is my new best friend. Although I
ite trails along the Muddy River, the the next 15 minutes we chatted about safety lesson, and Dianne broke us sadly leave Denslow at home on vol-
Blue/Black trail, had been altered to what we love to do in Tyler Mill. My into assigned teams, each with its unteer workdays, I look forward to
avoid a steep and dangerous section. four-legged buddy Denslow and I own mission. getting that e-mail from Dianne and
The new route led us further along love the variety of trail options, the Scott informing us of the next sched-
the river, gaining slightly in eleva- lookouts, and the shady riverside For the next several hours we uled work party. Since that first day
tion and offering beautiful views Scott & Dianne stretches. Scott and Dianne related worked in teams of three, clearing at Ferguson Woods, I and my fellow
along the way. The new trail was a that they passionately enjoy volun- the overgrowth and removing sticks Trails Work Group members have
joy to traverse… safe, well-marked, Later in the season we noticed that teering their time and expertise to- and branches from the trails. We got contributed hundreds of volun-
and nicely layed out. With the im- many of the trails in Tyler Mill had wards improving and maintaining to know each other and shared sto- teer hours around town, especially
provements to this trail completed, recently been pruned back, cleared the trails around town, right here in ries of our past trail experiences. It in the Tyler Mill Recreation area.
now we really love hiking this river- of the encroaching undergrowth Wallingford. was hot and sweaty work, but the ex- We have kept the trails clear of ob-
side section. that snags at our legs and paws, citement of volunteering to improve structions and hazards, maintained
continuously scratching at us. We Eventually I learned that the volun- what we felt passionate about was drainage sites, repainted trail blaz-
also noticed that several neglected teers who comprise the Wallingford extra rewarding. Additionally, see- es, fixed aging footbridges, repaired
footbridges had been repaired and Trails Work Group are a municipal- ing how well cleared the trails were erosional damage, and pruned back
spruced up. And then the next time ly sanctioned extension of the town now becoming added to our sense of overgrowth. All done while having
out we could see that the faded trail Parks and Recreation Dept., over- accomplishment. fun and meeting wonderful people.
blazes on the Orange trail were re- seen by Director Kenny Michaels. And yet, the best part is that we are
cently repainted, now standing out The group has Scott and Dianne At one point we encountered a large maintaining and improving outdoor
bright and clear. Again, we won- as the coordinators, and their core fallen tree blocking the Blue trail. I recreational trails that serve to help
dered “who has been out here doing members are representatives of the couldn’t imagine how we were going our fellow citizens get out and con-
all of this work”? various user groups who frequent Bog Bridge in Tyler Mill to clear this with our hand tools. But nect with nature. Scott always says
this posed no problem to resolve, as that this is by far the most important
Then on a hot and humid July af- the trails. This includes citizen hik- As if on cue, next week I received several members of the Trails Work component of our volunteer work.
Beau & Scott with TWG volunteers ternoon we came across two peo- ers, mountain bikers, equestrians, an e-mail from Scott describing an Group are trained sawyers, capa-
hunters, botanists, and everyday dog
ple pruning the nasty prickers and walking explorers like me. upcoming “Brushing Party” at Fer- ble of safely clearing such obstacles. Dianne, Scott, and the others are

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