My latest stop on The National Public Lands Day Tour was at Russ Garaman Park, a small community park in Jackson, Wyoming. With so many federally managed public lands, it may seem ironic to award $1,000 to an 'urban' park located in a town that boasts some of the countries most magnificent public lands such as Grand Teton National Park and Bridger-Teton National Forest. Side note: I camped at Lizard Creek Campgrounds in Grand Teton National Park the night before. Waking up with a view of the Teton Range reflecting on Jenny Lake is something I could get used to).
Friends of Pathways of Jackson, Wyoming does work with the NPS and USFS on many trails on federally managed lands but they also work with the city parks and more specifically a program called The Teton Mentor Project. The Teton Mentor Project focuses on empowering youth by establishing and supporting a connection with a caring adult who encourages them to discover strengths and achieve potential.
For National Public Lands Day this year, the mentors and mentees are teaming up with Friends of Pathways to plant aspens and wildflowers in Russ Garaman Park along a bike trail that connects neighborhoods to parks, schools, and the rest of the community. In addition, the funds will go to work on erosion projects along the river that runs adjacent to the trail.
When I arrived at the site, some of the mentors and mentees were already taking advantage of the beautiful day and playing. The public was out as well using the trail for biking and jogging as well as jumping in the creek for tubing adventures. A lot going on!
The kids all lined up to see if they were bigger than the check!
Very excited to get some money for their work project!
On the way out of town, I took a chairlift ride to the top of Snow King Mountain for a view.
Not bad
Not bad
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