Work Parties & Mtgs

Work Parties

Work Parties are normally held the 2nd and 4th Saturday of the month. Additional work parties may be scheduled in April for High School students needing community service hours. Want to receive email notifications of future work parties and hikes? Just email sheltontrailscommittee@gmail.com and we'll be glad to add you to the list!

SHS students: Teresa Gallagher, Shelton's Natural Resource Manager, can use a few helpers after school this spring fixing up some trail problems. This work may be strenuous and muddy. If you would like to be added to her email list, send a request to conservation@cityofshelton.org. 

Saturday, April 20, 9:00 am-12:00 pm 
Work Party on the Paugussett Trail

We're improving the rooty/muddy trail as it heads north from Constitution Blvd by adding gravel.  Be prepared to shovel gravel, gather stones, and push a heavy wheelbarrow down the trail. 

If you’d like to help, meet us at 9:00 AM where the Paugussett Trail crossing Constitution Boulevard North.  The work zone is on the right side of the road as you are driving in. Directions: From Shelton Ave/Rt 108 near the Dog Park, drive north on Constitution Blvd passing the Intermediate School and back entrance to the High School, and continue all the way up the hill to the end of the street where Summerfield Gardens Condominiums begin.  The work zone is located just before that where the big Eversource powerline towers cross the road. GOOGLE MAP LINK: https://maps.app.goo.gl/hiB4RL1yh2uSUdUa9

Bring sturdy work gloves and wear footwear that can stand up to mud (white sneakers not recommended!).  You may also want to bring something to drink and a snack. We have an assortment of tools, or feel free to bring your own.

Work parties generally last two to three hours and can count towards volunteer hours for high school students. There’s no need to sign up in advance. Remember to bring the form you need signed, and a pen.

If the weather looks questionable, check this page before you head out. Any changes will be posted here.

Hope to see you there! 

Questions? Contact Val Gosset at valgosset@aol.com or 203-803-5247

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Upcoming Events

-- Saturday, April 27, 9:00 am Work Party, Location to be determined

-- Saturday, May 11, Work Party, details TBA

--Saturday May 25, Work Party, details TBA

--Saturday, June 1, 10:30 am National Trails Day guided hike at Birchbank Mountain (Raindate Sunday at 1:00 pm).  The route will be the same as our 2024 Challenge Hikes. 

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Join Us on Facebook

If you’d like to read or share information on Shelton Trails – including reports on conditions, flora and fauna sightings, lost and found, or anything else trail-related – check out the Shelton Trails Events & News Facebook Group. Click “Join Group” in the blue bar just below the cover photo to request to join the group.

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Trail Monitors Wanted!

Want to help outside of regular work parties? Become a Trail Monitor! "Adopt" a trail you walk regularly, remove any small obstructions, and report bigger issues to the Trails Committee. We can clear the trails much faster if we know exactly where the problems are. For details and information on which trails are in need of a Monitor, have a look at the Shelton Trails Monitor blog page.

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Our To-Do List

Wondering what's on our plate? Check our Trails To-Do list.  Let us know if there is something you think should be on there. We might not know about it. 

Meetings: Open to the public,  held the first Wednesday of the month, bring cookies.

Work party schedule: Usually held the 2nd and 4th Saturday of the month.

What to bring: Depending on the season, be sure to bring ample water to drink, bug spray, and gloves (leather gloves are best if there are briars).  Permethrin-based spray on clothing will kill ticks.  Please bring your own tools if possible (depending on the job, this might include pruners, loppers, hand saw, rakes, grub axe, shovel, etc). In most cases, the Trails Committee will bring along a few extra tools, but if more people than expected turn up, there could be a shortage of tools.

After doing trail work: Rubbing alcohol is an effective solvent to remove possible poison ivy sap on skin. Do a thorough tick check every 24 hours.