Langdon/Arvilla, N.D. – Pembina Gorge and Turtle River State Park trails suffered damages from spring flooding, and a partnership with AmeriCorps is revitalizing the areas this fall.
Efforts by our Recreation Division brought the AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps from Vinton, Iowa to North Dakota in September. At Turtle River State Park, the crew caved a new section of trail away from the eroded area as a new re-route. Most of the closed portions of trail were able to re-open to the public on October 19.
At the Pembina Gorge State Recreation Area, AmeriCorps members addressed areas of damage along the Lady Slipper Loop trail and also placed two new backcountry campsite shelters along the trail. The shelters were built as a result of another great partnership with the Bismarck State College carpentry program and will expand the amenities offered at the recreation area.
“This is the first AmeriCorps crew to assist our department in several years, and this group of dedicated and disciplined youth are rehabilitating trails and establishing amenities that will be enjoyed for generations,” said NDPRD Recreation Division Chief Anton Hillig. “We couldn’t have done this without them.”
“I would have never thought how beautiful North Dakota is and I am glad we had the opportunity to spend time here and make a difference,” said one of the AmeriCorps members.
Turtle River State Park has a system of mountain biking, hiking, and interpretive trails. There are over 12 miles of trails carved through the forested hills and along the Turtle River. Sections of the trail nearest the Turtle River were damaged/washed out by flooding. AmeriCorps members from the North Central Region campus in Vinton, Iowa are carving a new section of trail away from the eroded area as a new re-route.
The Pembina Gorge State Recreation Area encompasses over 2,800 acres of public land in the Pembina River Gorge surrounded by the largest continuous, undisturbed forest in North Dakota. The over 30 miles of trails at the Pembina Gorge are open to horseback riding, hiking, kayaking, mountain biking and off-highway vehicles.
About AmeriCorps NCCC
The AmeriCorps NCCC program and its FEMA Corps unit engages young Americans in a full-time,10-month commitment to service each year. AmeriCorps NCCC members address critical needs related to natural and other disasters, infrastructure improvement, environmental stewardship and conservation, and urban and rural development; FEMA Corps members are solely dedicated to disaster preparedness, mitigation, response, and recovery work.