Trail Center -- Information and Volunteers for Santa Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, San Francisco and Alameda Counties

Trail Information and Trail Volunteers
for Santa Clara, San Mateo, Santa Cruz, San Francisco and Alameda Counties

3921 E. Bayshore Road
Palo Alto, CA 94303
(650) 968-7065
(650) 962-8234 (Fax)
email: info@trailcenter.org

Please check out our site at http://www.trailcenter.org

A network of trails...
A network of trail users
From ancient redwoods to sandstone caves, from the Santa Cruz Mountains to the Southern Diablo Range, the Trail Center is your connection to outdoor recreation.
The Trail Center is run by and for its volunteers and members.
Join this exciting network of outdoor enthusiasts, and become part of your parklands !

Trail Resources

Trail Information

The Trail Center is your best resource for local park information. For hikers, cyclists, equestrians, runners, campers, and the physically challenged, our trail guides cover parks and open space in San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, and Santa Cruz Counties (available on our website -- see the Guides section). Our Peninsula Parklands and Trail Map of the Southern Peninsula are available from many local bookstores and sporting goods retailers.

Trail Companion/Activity Schedule

Our quarterly newsletter includes trail information, volunteer opportunities, and updates on open space issues. The Trail Center also publishes an annual calendar of outdoor events sponsored by a variety of organizations for a diversity of trail users.

Trail Mapping Projects

Trail Center volunteers are involved in ongoing mapping projects of regional trail systems. You can help create new maps of Penninsula area trails. The Trail Center produced the popular Peninsula Parklands map, a colorful guide to parks and open space preserves from San Francisco to Santa Cruz and east to the bayshore.

Trail Advocacy

Whether you ride a mountain bike or a wheelchair, a horse or hiking boots, the Trail Center is your source for information on issues that affect trails and open space. The Trail Center promotes new regional trails such as the Stevens Creek Trail and the Bay Area Ridge Trail.

The Trail Center works closely with local organizations and park agencies to build and maintain a system of multi-use trails to provide access for everyone.

Volunteer Opportunities with the Trail Center

The wealth of public land and open space in thc Bay Area is a treasure to value and protect. You can join the hundreds of volunteers who give back to the land through the Trail Center's programs: trail information, trail building and restoration, trail mapping and other hands-on projects. Help build awareness and support for trails and open space.

There are many opportunitics for you to give something back to your local parks. Trail building and restoration projects are held year-round; other outdoor work projects include mapping, revegetation, and clean-up activities. Come join our trail crews or becomce a volunteer crew leader. Crew leaders are trained in leadership, tool use, safety and trail building techniques. Get some exercisc, meet new friends, and have lots of fun.

Current Trail Center Volunteer Needs

1. Trail builder
time commitment: 6 hours/workday
# people needed: 1- 30
dates: ongoing, approx. once a month; check our website for schedule
description: join other outdoor enthusiasts in building new trails or restoring an existing one under the guidance of experienced crew leaders. No experience necessary. All you need is enthusiasm for working outside in our parks and open space preserves. Bring water, lunch, long pants and sleeves, and sturdy shoes. We'll provide refreshments at the end of the day. A great way to get some exercise in a beautiful place with new friends!
2. Trail crew leader
time commitment: 6 hours/workday; ongoing training
# people needed: 1- 5
dates: ongoing, approx. once a month; check our website for schedule
description: similar to above, but for the volunteer who wants to learn trail building and leadership skills in depth. Attend a weekend training workshop and apprentice with an existing crew leader to become qualified to lead other Trail Center volunteers. Crew leaders are invaluable to the Trail Center!
3. Fundraising or publicity assistant
time commitment: flexible; any help you can offer is valuable!
# people needed: 1- 3
dates: ongoing
description: The Trail Center is an entirely volunteer-run organization. We are in great need of help with fundraising and publicity. Come share your expertise or develop your skills with us. Schedule and time committments are flexible.

Continuing Volunteer Needs

Map Making
Photography
Office Assistance
Trail Advocacy
Newsletter
Website Assistance

The Trail Center in Action

Take a look at

Trail Center crew leaders
a young trailbuilder
new trail in foreground, crew walking to worksite, and dreaded cows beyond!

Visit the Trail Center website, email us info@trailcenter.org or call (650) 968-7065 for further information and a copy of The Trail Companion, the Trail Center's quarterly newsletter. The newlsetter contains a listing of Trail Center events and other opportunities around the Peninsula and South Bay Area. We also offer Trail Center News and Events -- a bi-weekly email newsletter with additional activities, trail alerts and news. Send us email with the subject "Subscribe" to join.

Return to Bay Area Volunteer Information Center home page

Trail Information and Trail Volunteers for Santa Clara, San Mateo, Santa Cruz, San Francisco and Alameda Counties