Adopt A Trail
Your organization, or you as an individual can adopt a portion of the Oakhurst River Parkway. It is a wonderful way to schedule time seasonally to check up on your part of the trail and do to some housekeeping. Thousands of pairs of feet walk our trail each year and our volunteers help keep it looking fresh and clean.
HOW TO REGISTER YOUR ORGANIZATION
The Oakhurst River Parkway Committee monitors the Adopt A Trail Program with the purpose of assuring regular maintenance of the existing trail and parkway. Any new improvements or construction must be pre-approved by the Oakhurst River Parkway Committee.
Agreements are in place giving the ORPC permission to develop the parkway along private property. These agreements are fragile and all future development must comply with the agreements. Permits are on file from the California Department of Fish and Game, but these, too, have limitations. Any work in the river has to be pre-approved by the Oakhurst River Parkway Committee (or we could lose our Fish and Game permits!)
PARKWAY ADOPTION POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
The adopting organization will need pre-approval before placing any signs. Signs must comply with specifications and design adopted by the Oakhurst River Parkway.
Agreements from property owners are on file at the Eastern Madera County Chamber of Commerce. Any development must be pre-approved so it will comply with property owners wishes. These agreements limit our use of property to areas next to the river and do not include any other property.
Trail surface must be kept natural. Soil stabilizer approved by ORPC can be used. No blacktop can be used near the river. Ground squirrel or gopher holes should be filled in as often as necessary to keep the trail safe.
Weed control can be by "weed eater", hoe, hand-pulling or an approved spray.
Designs for benches, trash containers, water fountains, retaining walls, observation platforms and signage are available from the ORPC. Our goal is to use uniform designs throughout our entire project.
Consideration must be given to all wildlife when performing maintenance or construction.
Tree planting should be native species only. Plants, flowers, shrubs, should be placed only when an approved watering system is provided.
Adopt a Trail organizations must appoint one member to attend Oakhurst River Parkway Committee meetings to report progress. The ORPC will keep the Organization informed of future plans and development of the Oakhurst River Parkway.