By Allan Shephard
The great trails of the Redlands don’t just magically happen. If you’ve ever ridden, run or walked a trail in the Redlands, there’s a fair chance it was created, groomed or otherwise maintained by a quiet but dedicated team. The Redlands Trailcare group is a small, dedicated crew of volunteers who give up their own time to make sure others have quality trails to enjoy.
With ninja-like skill, they take to the dirt with rake-hoes, shovels and picks. Riding lines are perfected, drainage issues are sorted and trails are re-routed to preserve environmental value.
Events like the Bayview Blast wouldn’t be possible without the volunteer trailcarers. In the month leading up to the Blast, these volunteers dedicated 3-4 hours each weekend to make sure the trails are in prime condition. Even machine-built trails, like Wolf Peach and Sorceress at Bayview, need care and attention from the volunteers.
But why would so many adults give up their time to play in the dirt? People join trailcare for a variety of reasons. For some, it’s a way to give something back and also contribute to someone else’s enjoyment. For others, it’s a social activity with like-minded people. And there’s also the satisfaction of helping craft something that people will potentially enjoy for years to come.
To find out more about trailcare, or to become a volunteer, phone Redlands IndigiScapes Centre on 07 3820 1114.
