Trailkeepers University – New Trail Design and Construction

Crew Leader: Pat K., Elaine K.

Max Size of Crew: 12

Hike Distance: < 1 mile

Elevation Gain: (in ft) 300

Hike Difficulty: Moderate

Work Difficulty: Moderate

Work Type: New trail construction

Project Information:

This educational event will take place at Metzler Park in Estacada. Oveer the next several months, TKO crews will be building new trails at this popular Clackamas County Park. Crew leaders will be working with the ranger in advance to roughly define the trail route, but the determination of the actual corridor will be done by TKO.

Much of the educational didactic content will be offered in a Zoom presentation on March 8th at 7:30 PM. In this presentation, we will discuss the process of working with the land managers, how trail corridors are determined, local topography, and flagging the trail corridor. Attendance is not mandatory but highly encouraged. Link will be provided in an email to registrants.

At the worksite, we will be using tools such as clinometers to determine grade, and will be doing preliminary flagging of the initial segment of this new trail.

Hiking information:

Because we will be working in brush that has not been cleared, hikiing distances will be minimal. However, you should be prepared to walk in rough terrain that will have some degree of elevation change.The location is within a quarter mile of the parking areas.

You should plan to participate in this trail party for its entirety. For safety reasons, please do not arrive late or expect to be able to leave early.

COVID-19 Information:

**You will be asked to electronically sign the e-waiver for this event, provide proof of vaccination or recent negative COVID-19 test result, and perform a self-assessment health screening within the 24 hours preceding the event.** The crew leader for this event will verify that you have completed these requirements at the trailhead safety talk before the trail party begins. The registration confirmation and pre-event emails will contain further details and links.

What to bring:

• Lunch
• Plenty of water
• Snacks
• Gloves if you have them (loaner gloves available)

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, sun protection, etc. as appropriate for the weather
• TKO will supply hard hats and safety glasses

Directions:

Directions will be supplied to registrants via email 48 hours before event

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.