Pocahontas State Park volunteers received a big lift from outdoor retailer REI, this time in the form of a large trailer intended to support those building and maintaining trails at the park. The trailer was purchased with a $4,000 donation made by REI Richmond last year and recently filled with hand tools from an additional contribution of $2,500.
These donations come on the heels of the $20,000 REI Richmond provided to Friends of Pocahontas State Park in 2018. Those funds were used to help establish the Co-Op Trail, which opened in 2019 and is now the most popular hiking trail at the park.
The trailer, wrapped and decorated with the logos of Virginia State Parks, REI, Friends of Pocahontas State Park, and rvaMORE, will provide on-site support to a small army of volunteers by transporting supplies like a large water cooler, hand tools, gloves, and other protective equipment. The friends group helped organize over 28,000 hours of volunteer work in 2019 and anticipates the trailer will help increase that number this year.
The idea for the trail crew support trailer can be credited to rvaMORE, a trail advocacy and volunteer group that has helped build trails all over the Richmond region.
Previously, the friends group, rvaMORE, and park staff would have to coordinate volunteer work parties around one central hub providing access to tools in the trailer. Further, rvaMORE services multiple trail systems throughout the Richmond Regional Ride Center, including James River Park system. “It’s good news for trail users all over Richmond,” Sattler said.
Between the sprawling 110 miles of trail at the park and the recent rise in trail use, the trailer is a much needed addition.
“As we progress through the park’s master plan, we’re transitioning more into a maintenance operation rather than a construction operation,” Clark said. “This trailer is going to help those that are helping us.”
Those interested in volunteering at the park should contact: [email protected].
