Metropark volunteer sessions start Wednesday

1/7/2013

Three informational meetings about the Metroparks of the Toledo Area’s Volunteer Trail Patrol are to start with a session Wednesday evening at the Ward Pavilion in Wildwood Preserve Metropark.

The meetings will offer the public the chance to learn about the patrol program and, if interested, fill out applications to volunteer. Personal interviews for chosen applicants are set between Feb. 2 and 5, with training to follow in March and April.

Trail volunteers act as communications links for park users, promote safe use of the trail system, and provide information and assistance.

Volunteers commit to a minimum of 50 hours per year of patrol, working in pairs, and are urged to attend quarterly information and training meetings.

Patrol shifts are two to four hours long. Each pair of uniformed volunteers carries a cell phone and a waist pack with first-aid supplies, maps, and brochures.

The meeting on Wednesday is to start at 6:30 p.m.

Other sessions are to begin at 3:30 p.m. Sunday in the Packer-Hammersmith Center at Pearson Metropark and at 7 p.m. Jan. 14 in the lodge at Oak Openings Metropark.