Local business offers fundraiser as Carbondale staff readies trial to fix muddy trails at Nature Park

Anna Rosenberg, a Carbondale dog‑walking and animal‑care business owner, told the Parks and Recreation Commission on Nov. 12 that trails at the Carbondale Nature Park degrade during spring and fall and that she would like to raise money to pay for temporary repairs. "I would love to throw 1 for the town of Carbondale, to raise money specifically for this purpose," Rosenberg said.

Parks and Recreation Director Eric Brenlinger said the department has budgeted to test an engineered wood‑fiber product this season. He described a plan to deliver a single dump of compactable engineered wood fiber near the trailhead, leave wheelbarrows and shovels on site, and post signage asking users to redistribute material into muddy spots as they pass. Brenlinger said the material can be compacted to provide an ADA‑compliant surface when installed correctly but cautioned that prior donated mixes including concrete fragments failed to perform.

Commissioners and staff discussed logistics: locating the dump at an accessible point near where the creek runs close to the trail, limiting material to problem spots rather than covering entire trails, and monitoring whether the material remains after winter. Commissioners also suggested using large logs from recent tree work as low‑cost edge barriers to prevent trail widening in some areas.

Rosenberg and other commissioners raised volunteer and town support options: Rosenberg offered to help promote volunteer days and fundraising events; staff said public‑education and signage would be part of the pilot. The commission did not take a formal vote but directed staff to proceed with the limited pilot and to coordinate outreach with trail stakeholders.

Next steps: staff will order and deliver the material, set a single dump site with tools and signage, monitor results after winter, and report back to the commission on effectiveness and maintenance needs.