Over the past few years we have been fortunate enough to host a group of John Deere employees for an annual volunteer work party. Not only are these guys and gals a ton of fun, but they also want the biggest, toughest projects we can give them!
So this year we asked if they would bring some of their equipment in to help us with a big project which has been on our list for a long time. We strive to keep this site as safe as possible while also trying to refer the homeless who find themselves here to resources in the community. There were two large, roofed bird-blinds on the Cedar Circle Trail that were built many years ago. They became a magnet for graffiti and activities that violate park rules, and became expensive to repair, maintain, and keep safe. Our Property Committee has explored many options and removal of the bird-blinds, salvaging as much material for re-use as possible, was going to be the best option for the safety, usability, and maintenance of that area of the property. The John Deere group was eager to help!
The participating employees are all local/regional John Deere employees representing the Agriculture and Turf Division, the Construction and Forestry Division, John Deere Financial, and the local John Deere Parts and Regional Distribution Center in Portland. “We originally chose Columbia Springs since it matches a lot of our goals, including sustainability of the land,” said John Deere employee Rich. Their core principles guide what they do including what organizations they donate their time to. You can read more about their core principles here.
We will be continuing trail enhancements on the Cedar Circle Trail throughout the summer and fall. Join our email list to stay in the know about upcoming volunteer work parties, guided hikes, and more. Click here!