2024 Report for West River Trail

Neighborhood:

West Rock

Type of Site:

Park Friends

Address:

West Rock Playground, New Haven, CT, 06515

Year

2024

Number of volunteers

3

Total volunteer hours

17

Number of events

4

Number of trees planted

0

Number of shrubs planted

0

Number of perennials planted

0

Yards compost spread

0.00

Yards mulch spread

0.00

Summary

This summer, volunteers from the West River Watershed Coalition, along with enthusiastic young workers from The Shack, had a highly productive season caring for the West River Trail! We kicked off our efforts with a community meeting, where we showcased the trail's natural beauty and invited residents to join our workdays. Under the bright sun, Tom, Dave, and I led the charge in clearing debris and invasive species like Japanese knotweed, quickly addressing a gas leak to ensure safety before enhancing the trail’s accessibility. A standout moment of the season was working alongside Julian, CJ, Jose, and Ricky, who brought energy and enthusiasm to tasks such as clearing overgrown weeds, picking up trash, and learning about the differences between invasive and native plants. Their engagement, combined with the dedicated efforts of the West River Watershed Coalition, has transformed the West River Trails into a more beautiful and accessible space for the entire community.