Voluntary “Dirt Pass” Benefits Parks Trails Program
Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resource
Thursday, May 26, 2016 - 10:00am
For the remainder of 2016, a Dirt Pass will be offered at a discounted
rate of $25. In 2017, the pass will sell for $35 with proceeds
benefiting the parks trails program. Dirt Pass Trails Team members will
receive a trails packet complete with a custom wristband, a trails
program brochure, and a “trails gift.” Additional benefits and
incentives will be added to the trails pack as membership grows.
“One of the best ways a trail user can help us create the best trail
system in the Southeast is by investing in the program through the
purchase of a Dirt Pass,” Thomas said. “In the future, we hope to add a
dedicated trail crew responsible for building and maintaining trails.
Buying this pass will help make that happen.”
In the coming months, Thomas will begin setting priorities for existing
trail maintenance and the development of new trails that will benefit
hikers, trail runners, mountain bikers, horseback riders, and Off
Highway Vehicle (OHV) enthusiasts in select locations.
“We’ll begin that process with a thorough survey of our trails to
determine where we should focus our efforts,” Thomas said. “We’ll also
be surveying our trail users to better understand what their interests
are, and studying the best trail-building techniques and technologies
in order to build trails that will last a lifetime.”
In addition to the new voluntary Dirt Pass, Alabama State Parks is
engaged in a robust grant-writing program aimed at enhancing the
day-use aspects at its parks.
“We are currently working on several grants that deal with trails in
some way,” said Greg Lein, State Parks Director. “Since the last budget
crisis, people want to know how they can help. Not everyone can
volunteer so we are developing ways for them to help financially. The
new Dirt Pass is just one piece of the funding puzzle.”
Since the opening of the first state parks in Alabama, trails have been
a fundamental part of the park system’s mission to provide and maintain
outdoor recreational opportunities. In addition to promoting a variety
of health benefits, one of the best ways to protect and preserve state
parks is to have visitors engaging with the trails.
While the new trails program is in development, Alabama State Parks
encourages new and experienced trail users to purchase a Dirt Pass and
explore its existing 285-plus miles of trails highlighted on the park
system’s website at www.alapark.com/Trails. Many of those trails can
also be found on the newly launched Alabama Recreation Trails website,
www.alabamarecreationtrails.org.
To learn more about the Dirt Pass Trails Team, call or visit one of the
10 state parks listed above or visit www.alapark.com/Dirt-Pass. For
State Parks contact information, visit
www.alapark.com/alabama-state-parks-contacts.
The Alabama State Parks Division relies on visitor fees and the support
of other partners like local communities to fund the majority of their
operations. To learn more about Alabama State Parks, visit
www.alapark.com.
Recently, State Parks announced the revitalization of its trails
program under the leadership of Ken Thomas, DeSoto State Park
Superintendent and newly appointed Trails Coordinator. The Dirt Pass
will help fund that revitalization.
The Dirt Pass will be available in time for the American Hiking
Society’s National Trails Day on June 4 and can be purchased at these
parks: Cheaha, Chewacla, DeSoto, Frank Jackson, Gulf, Lake
Guntersville, Lake Lurleen, Monte Sano, Oak Mountain, and Wind Creek.
Trail lovers will soon have a new way to financially support hiking,
biking, and horseback riding trails within Alabama’s state parks. In
June, Alabama State Parks will begin offering an annual Dirt Pass
Trails Team membership. The new voluntary “Dirt Pass” will initially be
available at 10 parks and 100 percent of the funds raised through the
program will be used to build new trails and maintain existing trails
throughout the state parks system.
