FoOTnotes - May 2009

FoOT Supporters,

            This year is off to a great start for Friends of the Ouachita Trail.  We have been publicly recognized twice, we have been successful in fund raising, and we are doing more work for the trail than ever before.  Normally at this time of year, I would be encouraging folks to get out and do a pre-summer clean up of their sections.  I apparently don't need to do that this year, however, because we have already logged more than 3800  trail maintenance hours since October 1 (our reporting year).  To put that in perspective, that is more hours in the first seven months of this year than in any previous full year in our history!!  Congratulations and Thank You to all our volunteers.  

 Ouachita Challenge

            Our partnership with Ouachita Cycling Club continues to mature and be successful for both organizations.  OCC sponsors the annual "Ouachita Challenge" mountain bike race, utilizing parts of the Ouachita Trail and the Womble Trail.  The Challenge has become one of the premier mountain bike events in the southeast, with riders from 14 states participating this year.  For several years, FoOT has provided volunteer support by manning the aid stations and trail marshal locations.  In the April 2009 event, we had 39 FoOT volunteers on Saturday and 42 on Sunday, for a total of 648 volunteer hours!   In return we receive a portion of the proceeds.  The thank you letter FoOT received this year from OOC states that the event continues to have rave reviews and that registration was closed (fully subscribed) within ten hours of opening.  OOC goes on to state "Without a massive volunteer effort this event would not happen and we appreciate the contribution FoOT has made to make it possible."  The letter included a contribution to FoOT in the form of a check for $5000.   The funds will be used for trail improvements.  Thanks again to all who participated, and particularly to Glenn Wortham for organizing the FoOT volunteers.    Mark your calendars now for the first weekend in April next year - the Ouachita Challenge is also a lot of fun.

 FoOT Receives Recognition

            In February of this year, Friends of the Ouachita Trail  was named one of three finalists for the "Outstanding Volunteer Service" Award, presented as part of the Governor's annual "Henry Awards".  Jim Gifford and Glenn Wortham attended the awards ceremony in Ft. Smith on March 17.  Although we did not win the award, the nomination gave us Arkansas state-wide recognition at the banquet and in the presentation.  We did receive a certificate for the nomination, which has been added to our expanding "trophy room".

            It should be pointed out that this was not a trails oriented event or award, but associated with the Arkansas Governor's Conference on Tourism.  That makes the award much more significant in that our members dedication and service is being recognized not just in our own trails community, but in a much broader perspective.  In the seven award categories, there were five nominees that represent trail groups or trail efforts.  That is a remarkable recognition of the role trails play in our society and hopefully is the early swell of a trend that will grow not just in Arkansas, but across the region and across the country.

 Arkansas Trails Day

            Friends of the Ouachita Trail  was an exhibitor and major participant in the second annual Arkansas Trails Day, April 18 at Lake Sylvia Recreation area.  Arkansas Trails Day is hosted by the Arkansas Trails Council.  FoOT manned a display booth throughout the day and received several inquiries from potential new members.  The day was capped off with an awards ceremony where FoOT was presented a Certificate of Appreciation from the Ouachita National Forest.  The certificate, signed by Forest Supervisor Norman Wagoner, thanked FoOT for  "outstanding dedication to the management of the Ouachita National Recreation Trail".

  Trail Project Status

            Now that we have money in the bank, FoOT is proceeding with several projects with the USFS.  Our Resources Committee, led by Bo Lea, is attempting to get an agreement in place that will allow FoOT to donate money to the USFS to be used on specific trail renovation projects.  Approximately $6000 of projects have currently been identified and the funds are available.

            The separate project to expand the string of shelters into the western end of the trail is progressing slowly.  The site surveys have been completed, with FoOT and the USFS agreeing on placement of twelve new shelters, to be built as funds become available.  USFS administrative procedures, including the environmental assessment are proceeding.

            On the east end of the trail, Bert Turner has been working with Pinnacle Mountain State Park and Central Arkansas Water (owner of much of the land in section 10) to plan and build several badly needed bridges, including one over Reese Creek.  The State Parks will design and build the bridges and FoOT will help finance them.  Central Arkansas Water has indicated that they will help finance the project as well.  These long-awaited bridges are nearing reality.

  New Web Master

            Long time FoOT member John Carroll has agreed to take over as our FoOT web master.  John has big plans to give the web site some updated functionality, making it quicker and easier to update, and therefore making the data shown more timely.  Thanks to John for his offer to help.

FoOTnotes - May 2009