The Jersey Barons will take part in the National Trails Day on Saturday, June 2nd, 2007, at the John A. Phillips Preserve in Old Bridge, New Jersey. The Barons will help celebrate the 15th Anniversary of National Trails Bay and help improve the trails at Phillips Preserve. The majority of the Barons' efforts will involve building a new trail - clearing and removing brush, grading, and leveling. There may also be some foot-bridge building.

Light refreshments will be provided beginning at 9:00am, and the work will begin at 9:30am. Barons players: dress appropriately for weather and bring water, work gloves and snacks to carry on the trail. We also may be asked to bring additional tools, such as shovels, rakes, pruners, etc. if needed by the project organizers. All Barons must fill out a Volunteer Agreement/Release form before participating.

The Jersey Barons believe in giving back to the community that we live, work and play in, and are happy to take part in National Trails Day 2007.

UPDATE:

The 2007 trail-building project was a success! Several Jersey Barons baseball players joined the Middlesex County Conservation Corps to clear a sizable stretch of the Phillips Preserve. The three hours spent were a small percentage of the total man-hours needed to clear a path through the entire preserve (which totals 1728 total acres!), but the guys enjoyed doing a small role in building the new hiking trail in the park.

Pitcher Mike Marrara, Second Baseman Adam Thomas, Shortstop Dave Micallef, and Manager Phil Barone each took a pair of loppers and a shovel to help clear away countless tree limbs, thorn bushes, and small plants growing within the trail. The highlight of the day was cutting down a dead tree that was in the middle of the new trail, chopping it up, and using the new logs to border the trail. The quartet also carried several large stones into the woods to serve as the trail's border.

Thanks to Rick Lear for organizing the event, providing the team with t-shirts and refreshments, and being an all-around cool guy. The Barons look forward to working with Rick for a long time.