Many sections of the Pumpkinvine Nature Trail are over 10 years old. Erosion threatens to undermine the asphalt at some locations where the trail was built on a raised railroad bed. On May 1st Elkhart County Parks used a front loader tractor to move 100 tons of #53 gravel to an eroded area near County Road 26 just east of County Road 31. Four Friends volunteers spread the gravel after it was delivered by the tractor. Other sites need similar repair and Friends expect the work to continue into 2021.

The collaboration between Friends and Elkhart County Parks provides considerable savings compared to hiring a contractor. Friends bought the gravel with trail maintenance funds donated by trail supporters.

Photo of a tractor front loader delivering gravel to a trail repair site. The collaboration between Friends and Elkhart County Parks provides considerable savings compared to hiring a contractor. Friends bought the gravel with trail maintenance funds donated by trail supporters.

Volunteers at worksite.