The Sedona Red Rock Trail Fund collected $90,000 on Sept. 2 to keep at least seven local trails from crumbling away.
As federal budget cuts continue to strip away the U.S. Forest Service’s ability to maintain and develop biking, hiking and horseback routes through Oak Creek Canyon and the red rocks, the Sedona Chamber of Commerce stepped in as the largest of three donors to the three-year-old fund.
Under its Red Rock Enhancement Program, the chamber donated $56,000 of its portion of the local bed tax that was allotted this year for destination marketing.
“That particular program is for some delayed and deferred maintenance,” said Jennifer Wesselhoff, chamber president and chief executive officer. “We’re not experts in that area, so we want to give the money to the Forest Service, have them determine their priorities and be unencumbered as land managers.”
The funding covers maintenance of Andante, Chimney Rock, Sugarloaf and Thunder Mountain trails as well as their connectors in the west Sedona area.
The chamber has also committed 18 local businesses to a fundraising plan that would donate another $50,000 annually to the Red Rock Trail Fund over the next five years.
“We’re almost there,” Wesselhoff said. “We have seven more spots available. Once we get to 25 [businesses], that will sort of be the end of it for the next five years.”
Started by the chamber Aug. 8, Sedona Trail Keepers will be 25 local businesses that will commit $1,000 to sustain existing trails, and design and construct new ones, each year through 2021.
In return, the businesses receive special marketing benefits. The chamber will match those donations.
“The annual investment from the Trail Keepers program will be instrumental in sustaining the Red Rock Ranger District trail system,” said Adam Barnett, district recreation program manager. “By sharing the responsibility with the local business community and residents, we will all have a role in protecting and maintaining the 300-plus miles of trails for future generations to enjoy.”
The chamber’s only restriction on a commitment totaling more than $300,000, Wesselhoff added, is that the funding should go entirely to trails within the Red Rock Ranger District.
“Because of the high amount of use and the fragile desert environment, these trails need a lot of maintenance,” said trail fund president Jennifer Burns, former district recreation staff officer. “We do not have enough funding to effectively maintain our trails. Our forest district struggles with declining budgets and relies on local public-private [donations].”
The City Small Grant Program and Sedona Community Foundation chipped in about another $30,000 on Sept. 2, earmarked for maintenance of Little Horse, Broken Arrow and Mystic trails as well as other connectors in the Chapel district, Burns said.
“Other donations will be used for a maintenance crew to do systematic drainage repairs along other trails for the six-month season when there is enough soil moisture to be effective,” she added. “Every cent is used to maintain the trail system that surrounds Sedona and the Village of Oak Creek.”
The annual cost of maintaining local trails is $400,000, Burns added, so the fund’s target fundraising goal will be larger next year.
To come up with creative and practical ideas to help meet that goal as well as the long-term goal of sustainable funding of local trails, the fund is organizing a work group of community organizations and businesses that will meet this fall. To join, contact Dan Blaettler at 274-7763.
Proceeds from sales of the book, “Nine Easy Hikes in Sedona,” also are going to the fund. For more information or to help maintain local trails with a donation, visit the Red Rock Trail Fund website.
