Volunteers

The Battlefield Equestrian Society

Last update

Trail Work Day dates are tentative due to weather, etc. Please call ahead.

For info & to volunteer:
Call Joan Ferguson (703) 938-2918

Volunteers are the reason that we have the quality of trails that are currently available within the Manassas National Battlefield Park. In these days of reduced federal budgets, it is unlikely that the federal government could continue to provide this service. The park maintenance staff has limited resources to maintain the over 30 miles of walking and over 20 miles of bridle trails that are currently available.

During BES's almost 20 years of operation, our members have provided ten's of thousands of volunteer hours supporting the park maintenance staff. We typically provide a man-year of park support on an annual basis. In addition to providing emergency support (following major wind storms), we provide trail maintenance planning, material procurement and material positioning for work activities.

  1. Scheduled Work Days:
    Monthly work days are typically scheduled during all but the winter months. These work days normally occur on consecutive Fridays and Saturday and last approximately 4 hours each day. We usually meet at the Park Maintenance Center at 8 AM. Work days typically consist of 6 to 8 volunteers performing trail maintenance, such as erosion control, trail building, water bar placement, installing culverts, and trail trimming.

  2. Dedicated Work Days:
    Periodically community groups (i.e. scouts, schools, youth organizations) will volunteer to perform work within the park. BES is pleased to sponsor these organizations and provides workday planning and on-site coordination.

  3. Types of Work:
    In general, the work to be performed is designed for the more typical ‘desk jockey’ and does not require unusual degrees of strength or agility.

    • Equipment Operation:
      Volunteers are needed to operate the Gators, Bobcat, Tractor with front loader and 1 ton dump truck. Training is provided and operators will be checked out before operation.

    • Material Spreading:
      Final smoothing operations following placement of materials on the trail location and before the trail is declared ready for use.

    • Trail Trimming:
      Ensuring that proper clearance is maintained in terms of width and height of trails being cleared. Typically does not involve clearing of branches over 1 inch in diameter.

    • Water Bar Clearing:
      Water bars are installed across trails constructed on slopes so that water will be swept to the side rather than running down the length of the trail. Periodically these water bars need to be cleared of dirt and debris so they can remain effective.

BES has many volunteer opportunities. Being a part of the Gator Brigade is one that is fun and helpful to all who enjoy the Manassas National Battlefield. The Gator Brigade patrols the park trails for maintenance needs. These patrols are two-person patrols that involve going out with another volunteer to seek out where work needs to be done to improve the trails. The tasks are varied. To give an idea of the many jobs to be done; volunteers can work on and clean the water bars, (what is a water bar? Come and learn), trim vegetation (and learn about the vegetation in the Park) to retain vertical and horizontal trail access, clear smaller tree blockages, report larger tree blockages to maintenance, help Park staff and learn from them. Because of limited Park manpower, volunteerism is helpful to the Park and very much appreciated. Gator Patrols typically take 4 hours and cover 10 to 15 miles of trail. To be a part of this family of volunteers please contact Lew Taynton at (703) 754-9410.

Work Days

BES always needs your help on the scheduled work days! To see who our current volunteers are, please see the chart under Trail Maintenance Days. To become a part of our family and become a volunteer, contact Joan Ferguson, at (703) 938-2918 or e-mail Joan at jkferguson@aol.com (Please put "BES" in the subject line)

Storm Recovery

Volunteers will be needed for recovery operations when we are hit by storms. To volunteer, contact Lew Taynton at (703) 754-9410.

Equipment Operators

BES is always looking for tractor (front loader) and Bobcat Operators to support of Work Days. If BES can provide these operators, plus volunteers who are willing to mow fields on the Park tractor, we can free up more of the Park maintenance staff for other endeavors. BES can even provide training and practice for those interested in contributing in this way.

To volunteer, contact Park Roads & Trails Supervisor, Brian Slate, at (703) 361-7996. QUESTIONS? Call Lew Taynton at (703) 754-9410

Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts

We need you.. BES needs Boy Scout and Girl Scout Troops, and volunteers to work with them, to help with various deeds such as spreading mulch on trails, trail clearing, trail trimming and trail widening. Please contact Brain Slate, Park Roads & Trails Supervisor, at (703) 361-7996. This is a perfect Eagle Scout Project, as well. It also makes for a perfect community oriented volunteer project. Many schools encourage Community Service and some require it.

Gator Support for Boy/Girl Scout Work Days

BES has found that having someone responsible for the Gator lets the Park personnel work more closely with the scouts. A typical Scout Work Day starts at 8:00 AM and goes until 1:00 PM. No heavy work-just driving and supervising the loading of the Gator.

The Park is dong everything it can to support equestrians. BES wants to and needs to help the Park especially in these times of financial cut backs! Please consider providing your support and giving of your precious time. Come meet new friends, get out in the fresh air, enjoy the wonders of nature, exercise in a way that is fun, give back to the community, and most of all-feel good about yourself by helping in a wonderful way. Join us as a BES Volunteer!