On Wednesday, August 2, at 6:00 p.m. the Rockport Public Library will host a presentation by Erik Brooks, Trail Supervisor for the Camden Hills State Park. Brooks will discuss a wide range of volunteer opportunities and many ways to engage with the Park as the next generation of environmental stewards.
Locals and visitors alike enjoy the recreation and views that the Camden Hills State Park has to offer, and the Midcoast tourist economy benefits substantially from the lure of the seaside hills. Many are not aware of several other benefits and opportunities that the Park provides: the Junior Ranger Program educates children about nature and conservation work through fun activities; Take It Outside events give participants a chance to try out skiing or snowshoeing on borrowed equipment; and the Park offers resources on hiking safety and survival. The large, undeveloped space also makes the Park ideal for events such as night sky observation and animal tracking.
The Park encourages its use for recreation and educational programs, yet the consequence of its popularity is a rising need for maintenance. The Park is now looking for more community support.
Erik Brooks’ position at CHSP is a new role, created this year for the purpose of coordinating groups and individual volunteers, training them, and leading them in trail maintenance and improvements. Brooks first discovered the joy and satisfaction derived from trail work during high school. He then worked three summers on the AMC’s White Mountain Professional Trail Crew, and has spent most of the past decade as a carpenter.
For more information about this and other programs at the Rockport Public Library, visit Rockport.lib.me.us.
