News : AmeriCorps works with VPRD on new hiking/biking trails near Riverside Park

An AmeriCorps NCCC (National Civilian Community Corps) team is serving with Vinton Parks and Recreation Department from July 18 to August 5. The team is developing new multi-use nature trails that will utilize 50 acres of timbered areas within the Vinton city limits.

The NCCC team of 10 from the North Central Region campus of Vinton, Iowa is developing and grooming new trails; removing trees, branches, and other impediments to the trail corridor; landscaping and maintaining current trials; placing signage along trails; and constructing boardwalks and foot bridges.

Through their service, NCCC members are providing new and much needed outdoor recreation areas to the Vinton community. With the new outdoor space, resident and visitor alike are enabled to live a more healthily, active lifestyle while meeting social and emotional needs through a connection with nature. The trails developed will be used for a variety of purposes including, walking, running, hiking, biking and cross country skiing. NCCC’s service work on the trails will also provide access to river beach and primitive campground sites.

“As a team, we are really thrilled to building new recreation trails for the City of Vinton,” said NCCC team member, Luke Lauer. “Because of our service work, I hope members of the community can get out and enjoy the natural beauty of the Vinton area and the Cedar River, while living an active and healthy lifestyle.”

The Vinton Parks & Recreation Department offers a large selection of youth and adult recreational and leisure time activities along with special programs for people with disabilities. The department operates facilities including the Recreation Center, Skate & Activity Center, modern Miniature Golf Course and the Vinton Community Swimming Pool, in addition to the many acres of park designed for multiple uses by the public.

AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC) and its FEMA Corps unit engages up to 2,800 young Americans in a full-time, 10-month commitment to service each year. AmeriCorps NCCC members address critical needs related to natural and other disasters, infrastructure improvement, environmental stewardship and conservation, and urban and rural development; FEMA Corps members are solely dedicated to disaster preparedness, mitigation, response and recovery work. The programs are administered by the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS). CNCS is the federal agency that engages more than five million Americans in service through its AmeriCorps, Senior Corps, Social Innovation Fund, and Volunteer Generation Fund programs, and leads the President's national call to service initiative, United We Serve. For more information, visit www.nationalservice.gov.