Come on out for the first workday at the new stretch of trail at Bentonville Battlefield. The trail has been cleared mechanically (as you can see in the photo) and the next step is to clear the remaining brush away. We will be raking and pulling the heavy debris off the trail, clipping overhanging branches away, all the finish work – it’s labor intensive, but you don’t need any special skills. This is great work for well supervised younger trail workers, too! We’ll be joined by the Friends of Bentonville Battlefield and Friends of Johnston County Parks.

WHEN: Saturday, June 3rd, National Trails Day, 9 am.

WHERE: Meet at the Bentonville Battlefield Visitor Center, 5466 Harper House Rd, Four Oaks, NC 27524, and we’ll talk safety and split up into work groups there. There are bathrooms at the Visitor Center but not out along the work locations. Sometimes GPS can take you to the Cole Plantation trail head, make sure you head to the Visitor Center.

WHAT TO BRING: heavy rakes, loppers, clippers, NO POWER TOOLS, extra water, gloves, bug spray (it’s tick season, so make sure you are prepared) snacks, sun screen (some parts of the trail are sunnier than you’d expect). Please make sure to label your tools so that yours go home with you.

WEAR: sturdy shoes, long pants and long socks. There are briars, so either wear long sleeves or be on the lookout so as not to be scratched.

Pizza lunch will be provided by Friends of Bentonville Battlefield. In order to help them know how much to order, please RSVP by Wednesday, May 31st.