JACKSON – The Jackson Pathfinders put the finishing touches on their newest trail recently. The Sports Perimeter Trail launch proved a great day for the group who are devoted to preserving and bringing awareness of the community’s trails.
Jackson Pathfinders Chairman Matthew McCall told The Jackson Times, “We have been working on this trail for the last six months and today, a handful of Pathfinders assembled to erect a handful of signs on the trail to allow fellow hikers the opportunity to know where they are on the trail at any given time.”
McCall added that “Karen Walzer, vice chair of the Pathfinders, was the original champion of this trail. (Corresponding Secretary) Dan Green took the ball from Karen and designed all the signs that you see in the photos. Today, Matt McCall, (Vice Chairperson) Karen Walzer, John Chappell, April Lippert, Paul Lippert, and Dan Green installed six “You are here” signs on the trail and did trail maintenance.”
“This trail is the newest trail of the Pathfinders and offers yet another opportunity for the people of Jackson to enjoy the outdoors. What an incredible day for the Jackson Pathfinders and the Township of Jackson,” McCall added.
The group is a volunteer trail preservation group sponsored by the township. The Pathfinders establish and maintain trails in the community for walking, hiking, jogging, bicycling, and other recreational uses.
Hikes and trail work days are scheduled periodically throughout the year and announced on the Jackson Pathfinders Facebook page, through their email list and in area media.
According to their website, the Jackson Pathfinders was founded in the spring of 1999 by Ellen Repasy, who organized a group of area residents concerned about the increasing development in Jackson.
Due to the efforts of Repasy and Jackson Township’s former Deputy Mayor Vicki Rickabaugh, the Pathfinders was recognized as a township organization and given an operating budget.
The Pathfinders meet monthly as a small group and encourage the public to attend a meeting to see what they’re about. McCall noted, “we always welcome new faces, especially those having the same interests in preserving the environment and beautifying it for the community to enjoy.”
For additional information about the Jackson Pathfinders visit their website, jacksonpathfinders.org
