Gateway and Brown's Creek State Trails

Purpose (why we are doing this):

To create a safe experience for users of the Gateway and Brown's Creek State Trails.

Impact this position will have:

To create a safe experience for users of the state trail.

Responsibilities (duties and tasks)

Authorized work:

• Vegetation that is growing with 2' of the paved surface will be trimmed according to the trimming training.
  • Tree branches will be trimmed at the trunk of the tree with no protruding stubs left behind.
  • Bushes may be trimmed to the trunk of the bush or the ground.
  • Invasive species may be trimmed to ground level.  Stumps should be level with the ground to eliminate tripping hazards.
• Volunteer duties requirements:
  • Volunteer and user safety must be considered at all times.  Volunteer work should not be taking place during busy times on the trail such as on weekends, during special events or during times of poor visibility such as night or foggy days.
  • Volunteer must wear a high visibility vest at all times.
  • The only tools permitted to be used are a loppers and handsaw.  No motorized equipment may be used.
  • Oak Trees must not be touched from April 1 - July 15.  If there is evidence of this happening, the volunteer agreement will be voided.
  • Debris that falls on the trail from trimming must immediately be cleared from the trail surface.  Debris is not allowed to pile up on the trail surface.
  • Debris needs to be thrown into the woods further than 3 feet from the edge of the paved trail surface and not in mowed areas.
  • Interactions with trail users needs to be kind, informative, and safe.

Restricted work:

The duties assigned to this volunteer position are laid out above. Tasks pertaining to other programs and projects at this trail or any other park or trail unit must be agreed upon in a separate Volunteer Agreement Form.

The volunteer is not permitted to use motorized equipment or tools.

The volunteer is not permitted to touch Oak Trees between April 1 and July 15.

Qualifications Desired:

Volunteers must be able to:

• reach overhead
• bend over
• squat/kneel down without restriction

Review documents on appropriate trimming practices.

Good awareness of surroundings to perform work while keeping self and trail users safe.

Physical ability to manually trim vegetation.

The Gateway State Trail is an 18 mile multiple use trail that begins in the city of St. Paul, travels northeast through the cities of Maplewood, North St. Paul, and Oakdale, through Washington County, and ends at Pine Point Regional Park, just four miles northwest of the city of Stillwater. Located on a former Soo Line Railroad grade, the trail is generally level and wheelchair accessible. East of I-694, an adjacent unpaved trail provides ten miles of horseback riding and carriage driving.

The Brown's Creek State Trail is 5.9 miles long and connects the Gateway State Trail in the city of Grant to the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway in Stillwater. Situated on a former railroad grade, the trail is generally level and accessible to users of all abilities. The trail connects to local park and trail systems.

Purchase and development of this trail was made possible by the Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund, the Legacy Amendment, Washington County, the City of Stillwater, and the Gateway-Brown's Creek Trail Association.