All too often then NPWS, rightly or wrongly, is on the back end of criticism from all sides of the fence, be it green groups or recreational users. Not often do you see it publicised when positive things happen.

Up in the Glenrock State Conservation Area, positive things from a mtb perspective (and the perspective of park sustainability) have been happening. The NPWS has for a number of years now been working with and liaising with the Glenrock Trail Alliance GTA on the issue of mtb use of the park and how to best manage it to the mutual benefit of each group.

This has culminated lately with a series of Volunteer Trail Maintenance days. The first weekend was held by World Trail who trained a core group of volunteers, who in turn are training other keen citizens. Up until now works have included weed removal and drainage works, but this all changed on the weekend of March 13. On this day NPWS teamed up with the GTA to undertake some substantial trail works.

To locals, the work site is known as “Shit Happens” due to its proximity and views of the local poo treatment plant. This bit of hill is a maze of poorly built and eroding trails and management roads dating back to the areas mining past. The NPWS were in the area repairing waterbars on easements so the opportunity was taken to implement some of the recommendations of the World Trail Report.

The work has served to consolidate a number of trails into a single line, control water run off and reduce the trail footprint. The trail actually sits within an old management trail with all the old single trail closed to use.

While the work is only half done, with a weekend in the near future scheduled for the completion of works, the joint works has seen the transformation of a heap of quiet ordinary trail into something special. Pictures speak a lot louder than words, so for your viewing pleasure the work of the NPWS and GTA. Yes, all this can be acheived inside land managed by the NPWS.