On Saturday, May 16th, on behalf of Grays Harbor 2020, I joined approximately 30 volunteers to help clear brush and collect trash on a trail located behind the Bishop Athletic Complex in Aberdeen. The sun was shining as we worked steadily to open the path to a beautiful part of Grays Harbor that few have experienced.
As I volunteered my time, I met many new people and discovered a side of Aberdeen that I have never experienced. Just behind the Bishop Athletic Complex, and over an old rail road trestle, lays a brushy railroad bed that has a small trail that is frequented by few. After spending a few hours clearing brush, I put on my pack and headed out on the trail. I was in awe as the trail approached the edge of the Chehalis River, the view was absolutely remarkable. As I continued on, I enjoyed the sounds of the birds and the large trees that grew along the trail.
Making the trail user friendly has been the dream of Hoquiam resident Marc Bell. He hopes to develop a trail from Aberdeen to Westport. He has teamed up with the Chehalis Basin Partnership and Grays Harbor College of which Janel Spaulding is the Watershed Facilitator. Lonnie Crumley of STREAMWORKS, a fish habitat and stream restoration company, has also teamed up with Marc to achieve this goal.
Mark’s effort to create such a unique community place is one shining example of the more than 120 Grays Harbor 2020 actions our community partners and volunteers will be working on to build a more sustainable, prosperous and beautiful Grays Harbor. To learn more about this community-driven initiative, visit us on the web at www.graysharbor2020.com
For more information on the trail or to volunteer, contact Marc Bell at markool3011@yahoo.com or Janel Spaulding at jspauldi@ghc.edu
