Earth Day Elk Meadows Trail Party – North Coast

Crew Leader: Carl B. & Steve

Max Size of Crew: 15

Hike Distance: <100 yards

Elevation Gain: 0 feet

Hike Difficulty: Easy

Work Difficulty: Easy-Moderate

Work Type: Boardwalk extension, possible turnpike

Project description:

We’re partnering with the Lower Nehalem Community Trust to extend a section of boardwalk, possible turnpike installation and gravel/chipping tread surface at their Elk Meadows property just south of Manzanita, OR. Volunteers have the opportunity to additionally help LNCT with scrubbing the decking of the existing boardwalk, removing leaf litter from box stairs, invasive species removal in the park and wood chipping around plantings.

What to expect: 

We’ll be hiking in a short distance (~100 yards), cutting back brush and carving new tread using loppers, hand saws, and digging tools. There will be some walking on uneven ground and it may get muddy. A mandatory detailed safety discussion will be held before work begins. We’ll teach you all the skills you need to know, so feel free to join us if you’ve never done trail work before!

What to bring:

• Lunch
• Plenty of water
• Snacks
• Gloves if you have them (loaner gloves available)
• Sun protection, insect repellent, etc.
• Backpack to carry these things in

What to wear:

• Boots (Please wear something sturdy that will protect your toes from sharp tools. Tennis shoes are not recommended and may not be allowed.)
• Work gloves (loaner gloves available)
• Long sleeved shirts and pants.
• Rain gear, insulating layers, etc. as appropriate for the weather
• TKO will supply hard hats, safety glasses, and gloves

Directions: A map link can be found here to Elk Meadows Park – Nehalem, OR 97131

COVID-19 Procedures:

Beginning April 15th, 2023, TKO will discontinue the requirement for event participants to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination or proof of a negative COVID-19 test. Participants will not be required to wear masks for outdoor activities. We do ask that you continue to respect those who prefer to wear a mask by maintaining appropriate distancing and wearing a mask when working in close proximity with someone who’s choosing to mask up. If you have any questions or concerns about this change, please contact our Executive Director (steve.kruger@trailkeepersoforegon.org) or Stewardship Manager (lindsay.mcintosh@trailkeepersoforegon.org).

Please help us keep our community safe and healthy by staying home and joining us another time if you have any symptoms of illness or have been exposed to someone with COVID-19.

LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT: TKO recognizes that the trails we work on travel through the traditional lands of many Indigenous tribes. In every corner of what we now call Oregon, these people were forced to cede their land, their home, to the US government at various times from 1853 – 1871. We are privileged to be here today and we express gratitude to these tribes and their descendents for being the original and continuing stewards of these spaces.

EQUITY & INCLUSION: TKO seeks to make Oregon’s trails a place where people can go to connect with nature & one another. Not everyone feels safe or welcome in the outdoors due to issues that include racism, bias, and hate. We commit to being part of the solution to this problem and to enact change. Conduct, speech, or expressions that target any individual or group will not be tolerated by TKO, regardless of whether they are based on age, citizenship, disability, ethnicity, gender identity/expression, geographic origin, language, marital status, nationality, race, religion, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status.

PERSONAL SAFETY: Your physical and emotional safety is our number one priority. If a person’s actions or comments make you feel uncomfortable or unsafe, you may: interrupt directly, tell a crew leader, and/or inform TKO staff via the post-event survey.