National Park Foundation Grants more than $200,000 to Restore and Establish Trails

National Park Foundation Grants more than $200,000 to Restore and Establish Trails

Sunday, May 27, 2012

No comments

Earlier this week the National Park Foundation, the official charity of America's national parks, announced over $200,000 in grants to be awarded to the thirteen national parks selected to participate in the 2012 Active Trails program, including Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Now in its fourth round of grants, the National Park Foundation's Active Trails program promotes national parks as a venue for community engagement and encourages healthy living through various forms of recreation and volunteer service on land and water trails.

"Maintaining over 18,000 miles of trails is no small task," said Neil Mulholland, President and CEO of the National Park Foundation. "The Active Trail funds help parks across the country create or expand vital trail related projects, improving the visitor experience and encouraging engagement opportunities with each parks' gateway community."

Since 2008, the National Park Foundation has granted over $1.2 million through its Active Trails program. To date, Active Trails has engaged more than 3,100 volunteers and 86 project partners who combined have contributed over 13,000 hours to help promote, refurbish or build national park trails that were ultimately enjoyed by 291,000 visitors (and counting!).

The full list of 2012 Active Trails Grantees can be found here.


Jeff
Hiking Trails in the Smokies

Read More

Smokies seeking trail improvement volunteers

Smokies seeking trail improvement volunteers

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

No comments

On Sunday, April 25 from 10 am to 5 pm, Great Smoky Mountains National Park will celebrate National Park Week with a community service project that will involve performing trail improvements to the Elkmont Nature Trail located at the Elkmont Campground near Gatlinburg, Tenn.

Thanks to the Coca-Cola Foundation and the National Park Foundation, this community service project will provide families and individuals an opportunity to do hands-on trail work and become involved in creating a better environment. The Elkmont Nature Trail is an easy ¾ mile self-guided loop. The project will include tasks for both youth and adults, from cutting back vegetation to using hand tools to repair sections of trail tread and create water bars (a support structure that diverts water away from a trail).

Great Smoky Mountains National Park will provide all the necessary equipment needed, including work gloves, for the project. Volunteers should come prepared to work for a day in the woods. It is suggested that participants dress in good sturdy foot wear and long pants. Since volunteers will be working a full day, it will be necessary to pack a lunch and plenty of water. Youth volunteers must be accompanied by an adult and are required to be at least 10 years of age.

To attend this event, interested persons need to RSVP by April 19 to the Trails & Facilities Volunteer Coordinator, Christine Hoyer, at 828-497-1949.

This service project is being made possible in part by the Active Trails! grant from the National Park Foundation through the generous support of the Coca-Cola Foundation, a Proud Partner of America’s National Parks. The Active Trails! grant was designed to enhance your National Parks’ trail resources and promote healthy lifestyles.


Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com Detailed information on trails in the Smoky Mountains; includes trail descriptions, key features, pictures, video, maps, elevation profiles, news, hiking gear store, and more.

Read More