Volunteers sought for Norumbega trail work

The trails near Norumbega Road, which will be the subject of improvement work conducted by the Weston Conservation Department, Weston Forest and Trail Association and the Appalachian Mountain Club. (Addison Antonoff/Weston Observer)

The Weston Conservation Department is looking for volunteers to help improve trails along the Charles River.

It is working with the Weston Forest and Trail Association and the Appalachian Mountain Club, one of the oldest outdoor groups in the United States focused on exploration and conservation, to hold two trail work days this month to improve trails along the Charles River at Norumbega Road. The two work days will be April 18 and April 25.

Conservation Administrator Jordan McCarron said the work in Weston is part of a larger effort to improve the trails along the river throughout Greater Boston.

“Different groups have been working to try to improve access to the Charles River, specifically along Norumbega Road, for quite some time,” McCarron said. “There’s a trail head of Norumbega Road … there are a bunch of legacy trails around it, but they haven’t been maintained or planned out. Our goal is to create a central artery in this trail system.”

The two trail days will focus on improving the main through-trail’s condition. McCarron said he hopes existing trails can be used to create a network allowing for easier maintenance access in the future.

Both work days will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. McCarron said volunteers should bring lunch, water, work-appropriate clothing and closed-toed shoes. The Conservation Department will bring the tools and the Appalachian Mountain Club will bring the expertise.

The Appalachian Mountain Club visit is funded by the Lawrence & Lillian Solomon Foundation, an organization focused on better connecting parks and greenways in Greater Boston.

Solomon Foundation Executive Director Herb Nolan said the trail could become a beautiful regional asset because of its proximity to Waltham and Interstate-95.

“This is not well-known … but once you get there, it’s really marvelous,” Nolan said. “It’s one of the most beautiful stretches of the riverfront.”

People interested in signing up or looking for more information should email conservation@westonma.gov.