The Buckeye Trail is in need of volunteers who would be willing to become Trail Adopters. Specifically, we need volunteers who can adopt a portion of the trail and be responsible for maintaining that portion.

The job description of the Trail Adopter is that of a miracle worker! It virtually involves walking on water! An Adopter agrees to maintain a portion of the trail in condition so that a hiker can hike the trail with confidence. The trail is marked as Buckeye Trail with light blue painted blazes. Moreover, the off-road trail is clear enough of debris and summer growth that a hiker can follow the trail easily even without blazes.

Often new people agree to adopt a trail segment with a romantic vision of the trail. Reality quickly dissuades an Adopter of this vision. Even getting to the trail may require more than an hour! However, a well-maintained trail requires significant work. Trail on-road requires more time than most realize. For example, quite often utility companies seem to pick poles with BT blazes for replacement. Off-road trail may require several visits each year. An adopter should make more visits to trail that is more remote, and hence more desirable, and not used as often.

As the BTA President points out, maintenance begins on the day that new trail is built. At first, there seems little to do, but this feeling is false. Even though Buckeye Trail Crew is a top-notch team, things happen. Branches drop and need removal. The Crew may not have cleared far enough up-slope, particularly on steep hills. Even the Crew gets tired towards the end of a day and may not clear as completely as they should. When unsuspected water appears in tread, it must be drained to avoid a future mud problem. And on and on . . . . . .

Fortunately, the sense of accomplishment grows stronger with each visit! As brush and stubs left by less careful people are cut back and the ubiquitous poison ivy removed, the trail becomes better defined and more beautiful.

The Buckeye Trail Association always needs more Adopters. I suspect that most of you lead busy lives with many responsibilities. Moreover, I suspect that you like to use your limited time on the trail to hike. None-the-less, please consider adopting a segment of trail.

Also, don't be discouraged if trail near your home is already claimed. We can always use help on the Buckeye Trail Crew that travels periodically throughout the state for special maintenance needs such as responding to storm damage, flooding, or re-routing trail. You can see the work party schedule on our Work Party Page.

Download a copy of the annual Adopter's Time Sheet here. You will need Adobe Acrobat to read and print the file.

We recommend that all adopters record thier time spent improving the Buckeye Trail and turn in their report every year. Awards are given at the annual meeting for different levels of hours given in maintaining trail.