[1]Hipp Brook Perserve, Penfield, New York
I do some hiking and more than a wit bit of trail maintenance. Needless to say, I have opinions on both. The only publicly funded and maintained trails in decent repair are those ADA compliant monstrosities that got funded with federal tax dollars. Otherwise what trail maintenance is done, save have can be done seated in tractor cab, is done by assorted volunteers.
It seems to be that about half the structures I hike over were build as some kind of Eagle Scout project. The other half are not labeled. In other words, no Eagle Scout would mean a lot wetter hiking, from Jarrett Renshaw, Morning Call [2], Allentown, Pennsyvania:
In pursuit of an Eagle Scout badge, Kevin Anderson [3], 17, has toiled for more than 200 hours hours over several weeks to clear a walking path in an east Allentown park.[…]
Nick Balzano, president of the local Service Employees International Union, told Allentown City Council Tuesday that the union is considering filing a grievance against the city for allowing Anderson to clear a 1,000-foot walking and biking path at Kimmets Lock Park.
[…]
Balzano said ;;;”there’s to be no volunteers.” No one except union members may pick up a hoe or shovel, plant a flower or clear a walking path
Parks are the property of the People and not feather beds for union thugs. The practical choice is between volunteer trail maintenance and no trail maintenance. Leave to the likes of Balzano, and I’d need to find a new form of recreation.
For her part, Michelle [4] hits the dim from her own angle:
Hey, you know all that high-minded talk from President Obama about calling young people to serve [5] their country?
Well, if it conflicts with Big Labor’s interests, children, there’s a new message: Knock it off!
I’ve been doing trail work before Obama ever thought of community service.
Hat tip photo: Genesee Land Trust [6]