FRIENDS OF EDGEWOOD NATURAL PRESERVE
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FRIENDS OF EDGEWOOD NATURAL PRESERVE
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TRAIL PATROL ON DUTY ON THE 4TH By Nancy Mangini Five members of the newly formed Edgewood Park Volunteer Trail Patrol joined forces with Ranger Lynne Fritz in the twilight hours of July 4th to safeguard Edgewood from fireworks and after-hours celebrants looking for a place to party. Margaret Marshall, Bill Korbholz, Frank Figoni, Nancy Mangini, and Susan Summers spent their July 4th evening at the Sunset entrance to the Park helping San Mateo County Park Rangers manage the yearly flow of people who come to Edgewood to watch the many fireworks displays visible from the Ridgeview Hill and parts of the Serpentine Loop. Feeling it was better to ensure safe usage of these vantage points than to try to keep determined watchers out, rangers and volunteers kept the gate open until 10 p.m. Those who entered the park were told to leave fireworks, cigarettes, and liquor behind if they wanted to watch the show. Although keeping people on the trails after the sun went down proved to be somewhat of a problem, most fireworks-watchers were delighted with the presence of the flashlight-wielding Trail Patrol and cooperated with the rules. Also, the visible presence of khaki-shirted volunteers and rangers at the park entrance discouraged several cars filled with young celebrants from "hanging out" at Edgewood that night. Good Beginning, Promising Future Since beginning its weekend patrols on May 1st, the Volunteer Trail Patrol has had a positive impact both on park visitors and park rangers. The regular trail reports submitted by patrol members to the San Mateo County Parks and Recreation Department are providing needed information on park usage, allowing the Parks Department to allocate the most effective use of ranger-led patrols. Also, regular contact with patrol members appears to be reinforcing the impression among visitors that park rules are now being consistently enforced. Every six weeks, patrol members get together to share trail experiences with each other and with park rangers. This summer, the county provided a CPR and First Aid certification training course for all patrol members who wished to participate. Certified patrol members will be issued first aid kits by the County to carry while on patrol, thus providing another service to park visitors should the need arise. With this successful beginning behind them, members of the Edgewood Park Volunteer Trail Patrol hope to encourage other members of the Friends of Edgewood Park and Natural Preserve to consider joining their ranks. Although full membership in the patrol is reserved for those who complete the training program offered by the County in the winter, anyone considering joining the patrol is invited to "hike along" with a current trail patrol member to see if regular walks in Edgewood with friends is something they would enjoy. To arrange for a "hike along" with a trail patrol member, contact trail patrol members directly or call Nancy Mangini. |
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