On Saturday, November 18th, members of Team EQ will be participating in the Forest Park Conservancy’s annual Rake-a-thon event. This volunteer event works to remove leaves and other organic debris from the soft surface trails in Forest Park. Work will be done simultaneously at four different trail locations throughout the park. With over 80 miles of trails to maintain, it takes a lot of hands, and rakes, to make light work of clearing them all! The goal is to have over 100 volunteers participating in this event!
When left on the trails, accumulating leaves prevent proper water drainage, contribute to trail and soil erosion, and create slipping and tripping hazards for park visitors. Raking helps keep the trails healthy and more accessible for hikers, walkers and other trail users. Many of us enjoy hiking, running, walking our dogs or cycling in Forest Park. All of us enjoy the oxygen the forest helps purify, the fall foliage changing colors, and the cooling shade of the tree canopy in the summer.
Forest Park is America’s premier urban forest and encompasses over 5,200 acres in Northwest Portland. The park is an important ecological resource for our area, home to hundreds of species of native plants, birds and animals. It also offers urban residents access to nature, free Nature Education Programs for children and families, and community events such as yoga in the park and forest bathing meditation sessions.
Forest Park Conservancy maintains over 47 miles of the trails in Forest Park, almost entirely through volunteer hours, and holds numerous events throughout the year. The work varies, based on seasonal needs, but work parties are often held on Thursdays and Saturdays. Check out this event calendar for more information and upcoming event dates.
Movement and spending time in nature are both ways you can contribute to your health and wellness. We encourage you to join us, Sign up here or get out there for a hike and check it out on your own. If you see someone on the trail with a shovel, stop and say “Thanks!”
