Submitted photo Americorps members work in Montrose during an Allegheny Highlands Trail cleanup event in 2021.

ELKINS — Volunteers can help beautify the Allegheny Highlands Trail during a special event Saturday.

The Springtime Allegheny Highlands Trail Cleanup event will begin at 9 a.m. Saturday.

Hosted by the Highlands Trail Foundation, the event will help make the trail “more enjoyable for running, walking and biking this spring and summer,” an HTF press release states.

“The Allegheny Highlands Trail is one of the most important assets we have in Randolph County,” said Anne Beardslee, the executive director of the Elkins-Randolph County Tourism CVB and Welcome Center. “Not only is it the perfect place to bike, hike, cross-country ski, and run, it attracts both residents and tourists all four seasons of the year.

“The maintenance of the trail is essential ,and volunteers are the only way to accomplish this cleanup project and provide a trail that is attractive for visitors.”

Both groups and individuals are invited to participate in Saturday’s cleanup event. Supplies, including bags, gloves, and “pickers,” will be provided.

For Randolph County volunteers, supplies will be available at the Elkins Depot Welcome Center from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. on Saturday. The Elkins Welcome Depot Center is located in downtown Elkins at 315 Railroad Avenue.

Tucker County volunteers can pick up supplies at Mill Race Park in Parsons from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. Saturday.

“To prevent duplication, volunteers will be assigned a section of the trail. Sections are typically 1 to 2 miles long. Volunteers are welcome to take more than one section if they wish but are encouraged to only work on their assigned section(s),” the press release states.

Litter and smaller debris can be placed in the provided orange bags and left along the trail for pick up. Larger items such as tires can be placed alongside the bags. Much of the trash is in the trail’s ditch line which can be very mucky. Volunteers are encouraged to wear old clothes and shoes, preferably boots. Volunteers should also bring their own snacks/lunch and water.

A form will be provided with the supplies for volunteers to report the number of bags filled, hours worked, and participants. The information will be compiled and reported to the Adopt A Highway program.

To sign up or request more information, please message the HTF Facebook Page at facebook.com/HighlandsTrailFoundation or email AFNHA AmeriCorps member Maddy Fleming at madalainef@gmail.com.

The Highlands Trail Foundation is grateful for the support of the West Virginia Division of Highways’ Adopt A Highway program. Officials would also like to thank the AFNHA AmeriCorps program, and member Maddy Fleming, for helping organize this event and providing additional volunteers.

Visit www.highlandstrailwv.org of the HTF Facebook page for more information on Highlands Trail Foundation events and activities, or to become a member.