Walnut Creek Park: Restore the Tar Branch Trail

Saturday, June 11th, 2016 from 8:30am to 1:00pm

About

In the Walnut Creek Metropolitan Park there are several natural-surface trails that run parallel to Tar Branch. Unfortunately, park users are tempted to cut through the woods and across the streambed from one trail to the next. These cut-throughs cause erosion and disturb the natural habitat that draws so many visitors to the park. Our project is to restore these areas that have suffered the impacts of heavy use.

Working together, the Austin Ridge Riders and Keep Walnut Creek Wild will lead volunteers in these activities:
  • Use cedar posts, stone, downed brush, and other native materials to guide traffic away from the area being restored.
  • Plant a variety of native plants at key points throughout the area.
  • Scatter seedballs throughout the area to replenish the seedbank of native riparian plants. ("Riparian" basically means "streamside.")
  • Improve adjacent authorized trails to further encourage their use and discourage straying from them.
Some of this work requires relatively strong people. Some can be done by anyone who can move down the trail. All of it needs to be done in a single event for this project to succeed.

Whatever you feel up to, join us!
Positions
0 Remaining
Registration
Registration Closed
Registration Closes
Any time before each shift ends or when space runs out.
Shares Impacts With
Age Limit
All Ages
Requirement Details
Wear sturdy shoes, clothes that you don't mind getting dirty and will protect you from brush and poison ivy, and appropriate protection from the sun. We will need about 25 volunteers who can do physical labor, but we can use about the same number for the less difficult tasks of loosening soil, planting new plants, and spreading mulch in the new beds.
Perks
The opportunity to create something you will be able to take pride in each time you return to the park.
Parking Details
Some parking is available in the lot nearest the trailhead. More parking is available in the adjacent lot for the pool. Still more parking is available across the park road.
GivePulse
62 Positions Filled | 39 Impacts | 188 Hours

Shifts (5)

1 - 5 of 5 Shifts
ShiftStart TimeEnd TimeDescriptionRegistrants Needed
 
Trail Maintenance8:30am (CT)1:00pm (CT)Led by the Austin Ridge Riders' expert trail stewards, move rocks, build barriers, and reshape the surfaces of dirt and gravel trails to direct traffic away from sensitive areas. This activity is best for ages 16 and up.20/30Over
Habitat Restoration Crew8:30am (CT)1:00pm (CT)Led by volunteers from Keep Walnut Creek Wild, scatter seedballs and plant new plants in areas being restored to a more nearly natural condition. Activities are suitable for all ages.36/41Over
ARR Trail Stewards8:30am (CT)1:00pm (CT)Austin Ridge Riders project leads only. In charge of crews redirecting trails away from the area undergoing restoration.2/2Over
Lead Habitat Restorers8:30am (CT)1:00pm (CT)Lead the distribution of seedballs and the planting of native plants in areas being restored to a more nearly natural condition.2/2Over
Project Support Crew8:30am (CT)1:00pm (CT) Various activities that help keep the project running smoothly: monitor the sign-in area; distribute T-shirts; take photos of volunteers at work; answer general questions about the project; keep track of tools as they are checked out and back in; other deeply appreciated tasks that require little effort but are hugely...2/2Over