On July 23, 2021, three CCTU board members paid a visit to the Alma area. We were there to confer with representatives from National TU and USFS about a CCTU volunteer project that will be coming up very soon. Spoiler alert, mark Saturday, August 14, on your calendars to come help us near Alma on an abandoned mine reclamation effort (see separate Mineral Park Project event). Since we were in the neighborhood we stopped by to admire recent progress on the Alma River Walk. CCTU has contributed funding and volunteer time to this wonderful effort by the Town of Alma. Their goal is to conserve and protect a stretch ecologically important wetlands of the Middle Fork of the South Platte River that runs through the center of town. The River Walk will eventually include ADA accessible trails, educational opportunities, and fishing access, while shielding this sensitive headwater environment from development and abuse. Jara Johnson of the Alma Foundation gave us a tour of recent work done by the youth of the Southwest Conservation Corps. The young people are working on a trail spur leading to the interior of the River Walk property. The first part of the spur is roughed in and will be soon be finished in cinder fines. The second part of the spur will be a boardwalk that extends into the wetlands ending in a fishing/observation platform overlooking a beaver pond. This part of the spur has already been cleared of willows, the lumber has been obtained, and a contractor has been hired to start work soon. This entire spur with trail and boardwalk will be finished this summer. A new rock garden is coming along well, with native plants like currant and sedge providing both beauty and and educational opportunity. By fall we will should see the first couple of many interpretive signs and kiosks that will welcome and inform visitors. When you come up to volunteer with us on August 14, please take time afterwards and check out the River Walk!
