On Saturday, September 29, 2007 forty six people, including six young women all the way from Chatham University, took time out of their busy schedules to perform volunteer work at Pleasant Valley Park in Murrysville, PA. The event was organized by the PV Park Volunteers, an informal group dedicated to improving the park as well as raising awareness of the many things that the park has to offer. Members of the 4H Conservation club helped run the event by manning the registration table as well as handling the food and refreshments.

For three hours, from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM the volunteers participated in several different work activities aimed at making a difference in the park. The largest group of volunteers concentrated on building new multi-use trail. The trail was constructed using the latest methods from the International Mountain Bicycling Association in order to be durable, erosion resistant, and require little ongoing maintenance. The new trail adds to the 2.5 miles already in the park. Over 350 feet of new, full bench cut trail was completed. Another 165 feet was roughed in, and will be ready for use after some finishing work. A further 45 feet of trail in a wet area was hardened using landscape fabric beneath a layer of stone topped by limestone dust. The trail is not just for mountain bikes, but is designed for just about all forms of human powered use including walking, trail running, hiking, dog walking, and even snowshoeing in the winter.

While the trail work was the largest activity, several others took place as well. Girl Scouts from Pleasant Unity cleaned up litter along Pleasant Valley Road and throughout the park as part of the PA Cleanways program. Another group spent their time removing invasive plants which are not native to the area in order to make the park more natural. And finally, several nature walks were held to raise awareness of the different plants and animals that are in the park.

After the three hours of hard work, everyone gathered for food and refreshments provided by the Delmont Wal-Mart, Shur Save of Murrysville, Shop’n Save of Plum, Murrysville Giant Eagle, the Plum Sheetz, Panera Bread of Murrysville and the Italian American Club of Export. After the food and refreshments, prizes provided by Trek of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh Pro Bikes, Exkursion Outfitters, Dirty Harry’s Bicycles, REI, and Venture Outdoors were given away to those that participated. Reporters from the Post-Gazette and Murrysville star covered the event.

Thanks to Elizabeth Klevens from the Pittsburgh Trails Advocacy Group for her expertise on trail construction. Also, a big thanks to Dirt Rag, the Pittsburgh based mountain bike magazine who lent us many of the tools used. And of course, many thanks to the hard working volunteers that made our event a part of their weekend.

National Public Lands Day Sixth Annual Volunteer Photo Contest
Take pictures of fellow volunteers lending a hand to our public lands to win prizes and have your work put up on the NPLD website. Two categories for amateur photographers: 17 years and under and 18 years and older. Learn more about the contest, and view previous winners.

The winning photos will be published in the future NPLD newsletters, posted on www.publiclandsday.org, used in press releases and potentially featured in other national publications. In addition, the photos will have the opportunity to be incorporated into next year's NPLD publicity poster, brochure and certificates. An external review committee will judge the photographs. Prizes will be determined.