We are writing to update you about our summer hikes & events and apologize for any confusion this might cause. Following the State of Alaska mandates, we implemented safety procedures for our trail crew & office staff in March. We hoped to fully reopen all outdoor events in June, but due to COVID-19 we feel it necessary to make some alterations to the summer schedule in order to maintain social distancing.
Since the newsletter went out earlier this month, we’ve made the decision to cancel four off-island events & our June volunteer day. We plan to replace most of these with alternative offerings. Once replacement events are confirmed, we will list those on our summer schedule page.
All in-town hikes remain as originally scheduled at this time.
Additionally, although many COVID-19 restrictions have lifted, we are electing to keep many earlier mandate recommendations in place as an added safety measure. A full plan can be accessed on the web at www.sitkatrailworks.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/COVID-19plan.pdf
In summary:
- For the well-being of all, participants will be pre-screened at STW events this summer. No one may participate if they are exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19, have traveled out of Alaska and/or have been in contact with a suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19 recently.
- To minimize paperwork handling, we are asking those with home printers to complete a liability waiver (once for the 2020 season) and COVID-screening questionnaire, page 2 here (once per event) in advance. Completed paperwork may be returned to our volunteer hike leaders. We will still have blank forms available at the trailhead for those who cannot do so in advance.
- Our office remains closed to all walk-in visitors & our staff is staggering shifts. Please call 747-7244 or email us for other needs. Emails are trail@sitkatrailworks.org for Lynne Brandon, Executive Director and sitkahikes@sikatrailworks.org for Laurinda Marcello, Administrative Assistant. We welcome any questions you may have.
While our summer may look a little different than usual this year, we are so thankful to live in a place with world-class trails & abundant outdoor opportunities. We are glad to be able to get outside & stay active in ways that are not possible everywhere else. If you are able to make a donation to help sustain our mission of working efficiently and supportively with our partners to create, maintain and promote a beautiful, diversified and accessible trail system we would appreciate your support.
Thank you!
