By Helen Delavan, founding member of the FCRP

The lower Regional Park walking trail and the hiking trails were all constructed by volunteers under the supervision of Trail Team Leader, Tim Barrow. They were officially opened to the public in January, 2006. For many years they have been exclusively maintained by volunteers led by the FCRP. The trails are the core reason why the FCRP was formed initially.

It all happened as a result of a 2001 area-wide Citizen Survey initiated by the City of Castroville Council that asked what improvements people wanted in the Regional Park. A record 1000+ replies told the Council that people wanted, first of all, a safe and soft Walking Trail down in the existing park, and second, they wanted Hiking and Nature Trails in the hills above the park. So it began!

The lower walking trail was made possible by two grants to the City of Castroville from Texas Parks and Wildlife. The first was a Small Community Grant, which helped pay for the trail around the Garden of Roots. The second was a Trail Grant, which helped pay for the rest of the walking trail as well as many of the interpretative panels. It was constructed by an AmeriCorp Team and countless community volunteers, all under the supervision of Ernie Ayala, park contractor at that time. It did not happen overnight! The first volunteer work session was on August 16, 2003, and the last in May, 2005, with many in between. The City of Castroville contributed the equipment and the matching funds, which, thanks to the substantial amount of in-kind volunteer service, was far less than anticipated. The BMA kindly allowed access to the Canal Trail, the elevated backbone of the Hiking Trails, that help give the amazing views of the park below. After the granite walking trail was completed, it was maintained by Ernie Ayala until his contract ended in 2011. In 2013, the City restored the trail around the Garden of Roots.

Today led by Patrick Conner, the FCRP Trail Manager, the hiking trails will be refurbished thanks to a grant from TxDOT with support from the City of Castroville. We regularly have volunteer work sessions in the hills to maintain the trails and organize trail adoptions for various families or businesses who want to take a personal interest in these dramatic trails.

Join Us on the Trails

Our Monthly Volunteer Work Sessions are the heartbeat of the FCRP, and we’d love to have you join the crew.

Whether you have a "green thumb" for garden beds or have a more “Back Country Spirit" for trail maintenance, there is a place for you here. It’s a great way to meet neighbors, get some fresh air, and leave a lasting mark on the land we love.

• When: 3rd Saturday of the month September through May
• Where: Meet at Botanical Garden trailhead
• What to bring: Gloves, hats, small back pack to carry water and your favorite sturdy shoes. (We provide the tools, water, and the camaraderie!)

Can we count you in for our next session? Join our mailing list or check our social media channels for the next announcement.