What follows is the text of the Adopt a Trail agreement for reference. Individual agreements can be facilitated by email exchange between the adopter and the coordinator by cutting and pasting the agreement text.
Agreement
Adopter name, age, address and telephone number (email implied via agreement exchange)
The Trail Adopter (TA) agrees to:
1. Choose and adopt a trail among a list provided by the Park and commit to care for that trail from May through October. Name the trail: __________________.
2. Commit to walk “his/her” trail at least every second week, for a minimum of 2 visits per months from May through October.
3. Visit “his/her” trail during peak use as much as possible (i.e. weekend).
4. Perform the following tasks at each visit: (see details in “Duty Instructions”
- Wear his/her Friends’ identification.
- When possible, greet the trail users with a simple courteous “Bonjour/Hello!” but respect the privacy of their quiet moment on the trail.
- Take note of the number of users you have encountered.
- Pick up litter at the parking lot, the trailhead and along the trail.
- When needed, wipe clean the interpretive panels.
- Promote the “Leave No Trace” program by example and replenish the printed documentation where needed
- Note tree(s) down across the trail and other maintenance work that needs to be done (broken planks or handrails on board walk, damaged signs, wet or eroded areas, parking lot issues, etc.)
- Fill in the standard ‘Trail Report’ and send by E-mail the same day to the Adopt-A-Trail Coordinator, even if no problem is encountered.
The Friends of Gatineau Park agree to:
1. Promote, solicit and select volunteers to become TA.
2. Provide a list of trails that need to be adopted and cared for.
3. Assign TAs to specific trails.
4. Provide each TA with a vest for identification.
5. Provide each TA with the Park emergency and maintenance number.
6. Provide each TA with latest information on the “story” of his/her trail, or the Park in general.
7. Provide each TA with the standard Report Form.
8. Acknowledge receipt of every trail report submitted by the TA.
9. Follow-up on pertinent/critical/emergency information submitted by the TA.
10. Store the information and compile an annual summary for each adopted trail.
11. Organize a collective clean-up day on selected trails, in the spring and in the fall, combined with a social gathering of all TA and their friends.
Other considerations:
Sharing the responsibilities: A TA may share the responsibilities with another person or a group, in consultation with the Adopt-A-Trail Coordinator. However, he/she will make sure that the adopted trail is visited every second week and that the trail reports are sent to the coordinator right after the visit.
Assignment of trails: Requests for adoption of a specific trail are handled by the Trail Coordinator, on a first-come, first-served basis, giving preference to last year participants.
Role of a TA: A TA is not expected to police the trail or interpret it to visitors. Nor is he/she to do major trail maintenance or provide first-aid services. Such functions are the domain of park staff or designated individuals. In spite of this directive, a TA must use his/her judgment and help other trail users when needed. Above all, the role of a TA is to keep the trail clean and attractive for the Park users. Anomalies that require maintenance should be reported to the Park’s visitor center.
Personal safety: TAs are responsible to minimize the risk to themselves and others by wearing adequate footwear and clothing and avoiding any task that could cause injuries.
Ending the agreement: The Friends of Gatineau Park or the volunteer can terminate this agreement at any time.
