Big South Fork NRRA to Participate in National Trails Day, Saturday, June 4

Oneida, TN (2011-05-30) On June 4, 2011, American Hiking Society’s National Trails Day will bring together outdoor enthusiasts across the country for the 19th annual celebration of America’s magnificent trail system and its countless supporters and volunteers. Two thousand events will take place around the country including trail maintenance, hiking, paddling, biking, horseback riding, bird watching, running, trail celebrations and more. Since 1993 National Trails Day has inspired thousands of individuals and community groups to take part in activities that promote healthy living and mental well being, protect green space, educate youth and adults on the importance of trails, and instill excitement for the outdoors.

In conjunction with National Trails Day, Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area will host three trail maintenance work sessions on Saturday, June 4. National Park Service volunteers will work on hiking, horse and bicycle trails within the National Recreation Area.

Volunteers and park employees will meet at Bandy Creek Visitor Center at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time to begin work on the John Litton Farm hiking trail and the Collier Ridge bike loop. Work will consist primarily of cutting fallen trees from the trail and vegetation removal. Work will also take place on the Upper Panther Branch horse trail. Trail workers will meet at the Timber Ridge Equestrian Campground at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time to work on this trail. The primary effort will be focused on clearing downed trees

and removing vegetation from the trail corridor. More volunteers are needed for this project. If you would like to become a National Park Service Volunteer in Park (VIP), you may sign up the day of the event.

For more information about how you can participate, contact the Bandy Creek

Visitor Center at (423) 286-7275. You may also obtain information from the Big South Fork website at www.nps.gov/biso. For more information on the National Park Service VIP program visit www.nps.gov/volunteer.