Quincy Reservoir hosted over 700 volunteers from the Aurora and Arapahoe Stakes of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and volunteers from community partners for the 11th annual Colorado Cares Day, held on Saturday July 18. Hard working volunteers helped to build and repair a perimeter trail around the reservoir. The soft-surface trail will serve as a certified 5K course for the community.
"Colorado Cares Day brings together families and friends to enhance our city. It's a day when volunteers of all ages are working side by side in Aurora." says Patricia Schuler, Manager of Aurora Open Space and Natural Resources Division.
Aurora Parks and Open Space Department staff and Church leaders have been coordinating this massive undertaking for months, and the trail was finished in just a matter of hours. Aurora has hosted a variety of volunteer projects in celebration of Colorado Cares Day. In past years volunteers have cleaned up natural areas, built open space fence, and planted wetland grasses and trees. At the 2008 event volunteers built the first US Track and Field certified 5K trail in the Aurora Parks & Open Space system, located at Aurora Reservoir. The trail has been used for a variety of special events such as Aurora Trails Day and the many triathlons and duathlons held at the Aurora Reservoir.
"This project leaves a lasting contribution to Aurora's Park and Open Space system, and offers community members a place to stay fit and enjoy nature" said Justin Clark, Aurora's Open Space and Natural Resources Special Event and Volunteer Coordinator.
Clark stressed that community partners were instrumental in the project; they donated building materials, expertise, tools, equipment, food for volunteers and funding for the project. These partners include Western Summit Contractors, Garney Construction, Ahern Equipment Rentals, RSC Equipment Rentals, Honnen Equipment and Walmart.
Both Western Summit Contractors and Garney Construction have been involved since the early planning stages of the trail project. Both companies are offering materials and volunteer staff and are enthusiastic about giving back to their community.
Colorado Cares Day is a statewide day of service in honor of Colorado's statehood on August 1, 1876. The Colorado Governor's Commission promotes volunteerism in our state as an effective means to address community needs.