Volunteers Ready Walrath Woods
High Peaks Alliance recently welcomed 15 volunteers to Walrath Woods in Strong for a community trail work day focused on caring for the newly conserved property and preparing it for visitors.
Volunteers removed 28 tires, four televisions, a refrigerator, and additional debris that filled a four-yard dumpster. Their work helped clean up the property and support ongoing stewardship at Strong’s first public trail.
Visitors to Walrath Woods will also find three new Aldo Leopold benches along the trail, generously built and donated by a community member. The benches offer welcoming places to rest, take in the forest and river views, and reflect on the connection between people and the land.
Walrath Woods is a 120-acre conserved property along the Sandy River in Strong. The property provides free public access for hiking, fishing, hunting, and foraging and protects 1.7 miles of river frontage, the longest continuous stretch of the Sandy River with guaranteed public access.
The Sherry Walrath Memorial Trail is a nearly one-mile, family-friendly out-and-back trail that winds through forest and along the Sandy River. The trail is named in honor of Sherry Walrath, whose love for the property and decades of stewardship helped inspire its permanent protection.
A Place Worth Pitching In For
“I had the sense from the volunteers who came that they all felt they were contributing to something special, but it made them actually happy too,” said Brent West, executive director of the Alliance. “Smiles, great conversations, and something to show for your efforts.”
High Peaks Alliance is grateful to the volunteers who gave their time and energy, and for the donation of the three Aldo Leopold benches. These contributions are helping make Walrath Woods a place where Strong residents and visitors can walk, rest, explore, and enjoy the Sandy River for years to come.
The Alliance is also continuing to raise funds to conserve an additional 100 acres directly south of Walrath Woods. Protecting the Sandy River Extension would create a 224-acre connected conservation area and safeguard 2.7 miles of uninterrupted Sandy River frontage for wildlife and public enjoyment.
To learn more about Walrath Woods, plan a visit, or support the Sandy River Extension, click below. Walrath Woods has north and south trailheads at 168 S. Strong Road and 489 S. Strong Road in Strong.
