Trail Blazers: Q&A with Trail Maintainer Carlos Wilcox

The NAC’s Trail Blazers blog series highlights our incredible Super Steward Trail Maintainers! Super Stewards are advanced, independent volunteers who receive the training, tools, and resources they need to protect and care for their adopted trail in the parks system. We couldn’t properly manage and steward the 300 miles of nature trails in NYC without these dedicated and passionate volunteers!

Trail Maintainer (TM) Carlos Wilcox, became a TM in 2023 and stewards the Cass Gallagher trail in Van Cortlandt Park. Read his Q&A below to learn how he became involved in the program and what inspires him to tend to the trails in New York City.

1. What inspired you to become a Super Steward Trail Maintainer?

CW: I learned about the Super Stewards shortly after becoming a regular volunteer with the Van Cortlandt Park Alliance. I fell in love with the work, and I was looking for the opportunity to do more, both in terms of hours and complexity. While I am also a NAVigator and Street Tree Care Captain, neither match the planning and technical details of trail maintenance.

Trail work is also contained in a way that makes its results more immediately noticeable and rewarding. While invasive removal is valuable, it never ends, whereas there are only so many check steps.

2. Can you describe the process of becoming a trail maintainer? What was your favorite part?

CW: In my case, the process was expedited because I already had experience working on cross-country trails with the VCPA. First, I had to select a trail I was interested in working on, so I surveyed all of the trails in the Northwest Forest. I selected the Cass Gallagher trail for its variety and density of trail structures. I then had a walkthrough with the NAC team, covering the different structures and the required upkeep. My favorite part was the surveying. I didn’t realize how oblivious I was to the trail improvements, even on routes I frequent.

3. What kind of work and improvements have you done on your adopted trail? Why were these changes necessary?

CW: Most notably, I led a VCPA group in restricting a prominent desire line along my trail. The route led to a significant clearing that was a known hangout spot. It regularly accumulated dumping and was the source of a small fire last year. We closed the clearing to just the desire line, decompacting the soil, planting fast-growing blueberry bushes, and covering the area with brush. In the future, I’m looking to improve the trail where it meets the border with Yonkers. As the Yonkers Greenway is planned to feed into that entrance, I want to ensure the trails are in good condition to handle the additional traffic.

4. What’s your trail tip?

CW: I would encourage more people to check out the “middle section” of Van Cortlandt’s forest between the interstate and the Saw Mill. It’s the most removed section of the park and features a healthy Sugar Maple Grove with diverse native trail edge flora. Also, no one has ever regretted carrying Tecnu (poison ivy relief cleanser!).

5.What do you want all New Yorkers to know about NYC’s trails and parks?

CW: I would want more people to know how much of the work done in natural areas is done by volunteers and is expected by the city to be done by volunteers. Your contribution is not only appreciated but necessary.

The trails are calling your name! Join Carlos and dozens of other New Yorkers to maintain our city’s trails and become a Super Steward Trail Maintainer.