National Trails Day 2008: Saturday, June 7th
On June 7th, 2008 join the Open Space Division for the 16th Annual National Trails Day® (NTD),
a program of American Hiking Society. This is the largest and most influential trails celebration in the United States. “Albuquerque is a city that truly appreciates the outdoors,” said Mayor Martin Chávez, “National Trails Day is an event that celebrates outdoor recreational opportunities for the whole family and brings the community together to make them possible.”
Call REI AT 247-1191 to Register! The first 100 people to register by May 22nd will receive a NTD commemorative T-shirt!
EVENT DETAILS:
Where: The Elena Gallegos Open Space in Albuquerque, located east of Tramway at the end of Simms Park Rd., just north of Academy.
When: Saturday June 7th from 8:00 am until about 1:00pm.
What: Volunteers will work on over 10 different projects ranging from reseeding to heavy trail maintenance and new trail construction in the Sandia Mountains and Open Space trail systems.
Pre-register at Recreational Equipment Inc (REI) by calling 247-1191 or stop by 1550 Mercantile Av (I-25 and Montano). The first 100 people to register by May 22nd will receive a NTD commemorative T-shirt!
What to Bring: A hat, water bottle, snacks, sunscreen, work gloves, and lots of enthusiasm! The Sandia Ranger District and Albuquerque Open Space will provide tools and instructions.
Other: At the end of the event, we reward our volunteers with lunch and lots of prizes donated by our generous sponsors!
The event is FREE.
About National Trails Day:
Every year, the American Hiking Association helps local groups organize dozens of trails projects throughout the country. The Open Space Division and other local organizations including the U.S. Forest Service have signed on board again this year, and we’ve planned an exciting day of trails projects that will take place at the Elena Gallegos Open Space.
The slogan for NTD 2008 is “Join Us on the Trail.” The American Hiking Association describes the event as “An open invitation to all Americans to get outside, connect with local hiking clubs, outdoor retailers, local parks and recreation departments or federal land managing agencies to experience everything the great outdoors has to offer.”
National Trails Day serves three main purposes: 1) Educate the public on the importance of trails and their conservation; 2) Strengthen alliances of different agencies that work together beyond National Trails Day; 3) Create new trail advocates. On June 7th, we will accomplish this and much more! The Open Space Division’s main goal for the day is to have a great time while improving and protecting the outstanding Sandia Foothills trail system!
NATIONAL TRAILS DAY IS SPONSORED LOCALLY IN PART BY REI, OPEN SPACE ALLIANCE, FRIENDS OF THE SANDIA MOUNTAINS, SPORTS SYSTEMS and SPORTZ OUTDOORS.
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Highlights from the 2007 National Trails Day, (June 2, 2007)
National Trails Day® (NTD) celebrates access to our rich and diverse outdoors. According to American Hiking Society, NTD is the largest and most influential trails celebration in the nation. Trails Day is not only an opportunity to celebrate trails and thank trail maintainers and volunteers, but also to learn about and enjoy the many health benefits hundreds of miles of trails, just in the Albuquerque area, provides.
This year’s NTD slogan, “Save the Trails,” encouraged all people to acknowledge and protect access to our local, unique and diverse landscapes. Whether you enjoy mountains, rivers or desert you are only minutes away from trails that transform the city into wilderness.
“Albuquerque is a remarkable town that begs citizens to be outdoors.” said Mayor Martin Chávez, “National Trails Day is an important event that brings attention to the necessity of outdoor access and the people who make it possible.”
On the morning of June 2nd, over 170 volunteers arrived at the Elena Gallegos Picnic Area in the Sandia Foothills to acknowledge their appreciation for the hundreds of miles of trails available to them just in the Albuquerque area. The first 100 registered volunteers received a National Trails Day commemorative t-shirt. Volunteers had a choice of 15 projects assembled by the City of Albuquerque Open Space Division and Cibola National Forest; each project contributing to the integrity, sustainability and safety of our beloved recreation trails.
In the afternoon, volunteers gathered for a picnic and a chance to win one of many excellent outdoor gear raffle prizes. But the best part was the companionship between the sweaty, blistered, dirt-smeared volunteers, swapping trail stories and sharing a common adoration for the outdoors.
Mark your calendars now! Next year National Trails Day will be held on June 7.
We are very grateful to all the wonderful sponsors who helped support this effort and help illustrate to the volunteers how much their hard work and commitment to sustainable trails is valued. The City of Albuquerque and the Open Space Alliance wish to thank the following sponsors for their generous support:
Friends of Sandia Mountains
Sportz Outdoor
Sports Systems
REI
USFS Sandia Ranger District
The Way Church
Whole Foods Market
La Montanita Coop
Frito Lay
Great Harvest Bakery
Satellite Coffee
Wolfe’s Baking Co.
Walmart
Stoneage Climbing Gym
Theobroma Chocolatier
