MONTGOMERY-Since the opening of the first state parks in Alabama, trails have been a fundamental part of the park system’s mission to provide and maintain outdoor recreational opportunities. In addition to promoting a variety of health benefits, one of the best ways to protect and preserve state parks is to have visitors engaging with the trails.
Trail users are one of the largest user groups that visit and use the state parks. According to the nonprofit research group The Outdoor Foundation, the number of Americans who use multi-use trails has grown steadily over the last decade. In the past three years alone, hiking, trail running, and mountain biking participation increased to more than 100 million Americans aged 6 and up. Because of their significance to the parks system, we have created a new trails program that will focus on improving and managing the entire Alabama State Parks trails system. 
To manage the program, Ken Thomas has been named the Trails Coordinator. With the State Parks Trails Coordinator position, the parks system is reaffirming its commitment to the number one user activity within its parks, trail use. The trail coordinator will oversee the revitalization of the parks system’s trail program among other duties.
One of the potential challenges facing the parks system’s revitalized trails program will be funding. Parks is addressing that challenge through a robust grant-writing program and the revenue received from your donations. This new Dirt Pass Trail Crew program provides a way that trail users and others can financially contribute to improving and managing the trails system.
The $35 annual donation for the Dirt Pass Trail Crew membership is made online. A wristband, trails gift and t-shirt will be mailed to you immediately.
Media Release/Outdoor Alabama
