On a Roll for Parks

County Parks volunteer Gardner Grady hits the trail on his mountain bike.

How does an avid mountain biker make sure his favorite trails are in tip-top condition? Why help to maintain them, of course, and that’s just what Gardner Grady does for the County Parks and Recreation Department. He rides an average of three days a week and puts some of that time, ten to 12 hours a month, into biking for Parks’ volunteer patrol team. He’s proved to be so valuable a volunteer the County Board of Supervisors gave Grady a proclamation Tuesday and recognized Grady as Volunteer of the Month.

Supervisor Dianne Jacob presents a proclamation to Gardner Grady recognizing him as the Volunteer of the Month.

Why so much for County Parks?

“I have a passion for quality trails,” said Grady.

He joined the patrol team in 2008 and his job is to check trail conditions, report on the wildlife he sees and how many hikers, bicyclists and equestrians he runs across while on patrol.

“He’s our extra eyes and ears,” said Parks and Recreation Chief Amy Harbert.

While he rides and performs trail work throughout the County Parks trail system, Grady spends most of his time at the Goodan Ranch/Sycamore Canyon Open Space Preserve in Poway because it’s near his home.  

Grady is self-employed in the graphics business but he’s served as past president of the San Diego Mountain Bike Association. The organization partnered with County Parks in the “Adopt a Trail” program. Over the years Grady has led trail work parties and attended many meetings promoting mountain biking and non-motorized multi-use trails. 

“He’s the epitome of a volunteer,” said Parks Volunteer Services Coordinator Cheryl Wegner. “He has a passion for trails and he also understands the bigger picture.”

Grady is among more than 3,000 people who volunteer for the County Parks and Recreation Department every year. More than 400 give their time on a regular basis. Altogether, that adds up to more than 97,000 service hours saving taxpayers about $2 million a year.