ELKINS — A spring cleanup Earth Day event is planned on the Allegheny Highlands Trail.
Hosted by the Highlands Trail Foundation, the Springtime Rail Trail Clean Up, set for 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturday, April 30, will “help make the trail more enjoyable for running, walking and biking this spring and summer,” officials said.
“The Allegheny Highlands Trail is a very popular trail in the area. Many people use it for walking, biking, and exercising,” Taira Gainer, the City of Elkins Mon Forest Town representative, said. “After the snow has melted, it’s important for us to have clean up events to pick up litter that has accumulated along the trail. It’s also the perfect opportunity to volunteer your time for a good purpose.”
Both groups and individuals are invited to participate in the cleanup event, and supplies, including bags, gloves and “pickers,” will be provided.
To sign up, please message the HTF at facebook.com/HighlandsTrailFoundation, or email HTF’s AmeriCorps member, Daniel Flood, at danielhflood@gmail.com.
To prevent duplication, volunteers will be assigned a section of trail, typically 1 to 2 miles long. Volunteers are welcome to take more than one section if they wish, but are encouraged to only work on their assigned section(s).
Supplies will be available at the Elkins Depot Welcome Center from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 28 and 29, and at 10 a.m. April 30. The Elkins Welcome Depot Center is located in downtown Elkins at 315 Railroad Avenue.
Tucker County volunteers can pick up supplies from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 28 and 29 at City Hall in Parsons, or at Mill Race Park on April 30 at 10 a.m. Parsons City Hall is located at 341 2nd Street.
Litter and smaller debris can be placed in the provided orange bags and left along the trail for pick up. Larger items such as tires can be placed alongside the bags. Much of the trash is located in the trail’s ditchline, which can be very mucky. Volunteers are encouraged to wear old clothes and shoes, or boots.
The Highlands Trail Foundation is grateful for the support of the West Virginia Division of Highways’ Adopt a Highway program.
A form will be provided with the supplies for volunteers to report the number of bags filled, hours worked and participants. The information will be compiled and reported to the Adopt A Highway Program.
