Volunteers refueled and joined the following teams:

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1. Install seasonal bridge at lower Aptos Creek site (Leader-Andrea)

2. Install seasonal bridge at upper Aptos Creek site (Leader-Gary)

3. Rail Splitting at Mary Easton Picnic Area (Leader-Vlad)

4. English ivy removal at Kiosk/entrance & Aptos Rancho Trail (Leader-John)

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Thank you to everyone who put aside their valuable weekend time this past Sunday to join us in the park and make noticeable, substantial improvements. The park thanks you too! 

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1. Seasonal Bridges Installation: 

Our experienced crew lead by Andrea and Gary successfully installed the two seasonal bridges across Aptos Creek. These bridges are enormously important to Nisene Park visitors coming from the main entrance in order to access the park west of the creek.  Great job bridge crews!

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Downstream Bridge: Andrea, Mikhail  and Gilbert led a team of 11 eager volunteers straight into Aptos Creek!  
After a brief delay to install a missing bracket, the work went smoothly and the result was a sturdy bridge once again ushering visitors over to the Old Growth Loop Trail.  The steady work was enjoyed by all and was very satisfying!
Seasoned veterans were joined by First Timers Bryan, Robert, Lucas and Ryan.

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Upstream Bridge: 12 dedicated volunteers willingly waded into the creek and got busy.  The work was steady and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves.  Joe seemed especially happy as he quickly reversed the work of the bridge vandals, repairing section 3 to new condition!  Brett was our "Jack Man" and had everything under control.  Chris Angelos did the jobs that no one else understood.  We did go overtime, but it was not an issue, we returned happily to the parking lot by 2:00 pm.  Special shout out to our first timers; Orion, Marcia and Eric.

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2. Rail Splitting Team: 

The splitters were splitting up a storm on April Trail Day! 

It was loud, it was frantic, but the result was the production of many split rails to be used in future construction and repair. Vlad from State Parks led the session, making sure everyone was doing the right thing and that we created a quality product! We don't know if they knew what they were getting into, but we were happy that First Times Angelica, Colter and Kai were part of the team.  It won't be long before enough material has been produced to start constructing split rail fencing in the park. Stay tuned for future fence construction opportunities!

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3. Native Forest Restoration Team: 

The Team focused on 2 sites, working in Emmett's Grove (10 Volunteers led by Susan and Teresa) near the parking lot, one going up Aptos Rancho Trail to remove ivy from trees (7 Volunteers led by John and Elissa).

• Our Emmett's Grove team did an amazing job removing vinca, cape ivy, and English ivy in a 445 sq. ft. area. A great accomplishment, it looks amazing!!!

• The tree ivy group removed ivy and did life savers (a large donut-shaped clearing) for 26 costal live oaks located along the Aptos Rancho Trail north of the viewing platform and then spent some quality time removing ivy on 6 redwoods in a small group off of Split Stuff Trail near the Emmett Reid picnic area.

 

A comment from one of our volunteers:

"I think the invasives team made a big improvement to a bit of well-worn forest.  I appreciate how much effort is put into organizing these Trail Days".