On a cold morning on Nov. 22, the SCV Trail Users came together to work on maintaining the Gates Trail.
Volunteers first arrived at the Drink Pak Manufacturer parking lot, where they picked up equipment, including hoes and gloves. Then the organizers of the event provided instructions and guided everyone to the trail.
At 8 a.m., before going to the trail, the organization recommended wearing clothes safe for outdoor activity. Volunteers were also asked to bring hats, work clothes, sunscreen and water. Volunteers must be 15 or older to participate, but anyone under 17 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
The SCV Trail Users began with a determined group composed of bicyclists 15 years ago,advocating against the closing of a popular trail they loved to ride on., After successfully rescuing the trail, they became determined to promote the growth of more trails in Santa Clarita.
Over the years, the group has created new paths and helped upkeep old ones, preserving the outdoor lifestyle that motivated them to start the movement. The Trail Users worked with Los Angeles County Parks and Recreation to reopen the Los Pinetos Trail. The Trail Users have also worked with the City of Santa Clarita to connect and expand the Golden Valley Open Spaces trail to the East Walker Ranch and Los Pinetos trails.
A bicyclist and one of the founders, Tony Arnold, adds on the changes he witnessed over the years: “So we’ve gone from three people with no official organization to now [where] we have a charitable foundation. We now have eight directors, and we have 30 volunteers who show up on a monthly basis to help us build trails. ”
The SCV Trail Users soon became a non-profit organization by partnering with the Concerned Off Road Bicyclists Association, which was affiliated with the International Mountain Bike Association, helping provide tools and funding, allowing them to continue their mission.
The small lot of individuals soon grew to include more diverse volunteers, including but not limited to hikers, local college students, and teenagers.
One such case is Javier Jimenez, a community college student who participated with the SCV Trail Users for the first time. When he was asked why he decided to volunteer, he remarked, “I have a kid; she is a little girl, and I love hiking, and I know she would love hiking. However, nobody cleans up hiking trails, which is why I am here today for my daughter.” He found out about this opportunity through his wife, who saw the program through the Santa Clarita Volunteers.
Another common reason for young individuals to come and volunteer is to get hours to get recognition and awards. Ethan Gudani, a sophomore at West Ranch High School, is part of the school’s National Honor Society that gives out scholarships for community service hours: “I found this opportunity and it was the exact amount of hours I needed with four hours left.”
Although volunteers usually join needing volunteering hours and experience, Everett Zoller has made volunteering a hobby after joining for volunteer hours. “It just turned it into something I like to do” she explained, describing the other work that she’s done in organizations such as the PCTA, Pacific Crest Trail Association.
Besides being a hobby, volunteering can change a person’s perspective on their everyday lives. Jose Gonzalez has ridden mountain bikes all over the world and witnessed other trail user communities. “I see what other trail builders around the world are doing, which in turn gives me ideas and education and so on,” he said.
Volunteering with the SCV Trail Users can not only benefit you with volunteering hours, but it can also help benefit the community of hikers, bikers, and citizens who use the trails on a daily or weekly basis.
