Public invited to National Public Lands Day event at Upper Lake Mary

Release Date: Sep 3, 2015

Contact(s): Justin Loxley 928-527-8213, Media Contact: Brady Smith 928-527-3490

Flagstaff, Ariz. -- Coconino National Forest is co-hosting an event with other partners and agencies at Upper Lake Mary on September 26, 2015 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. to celebrate National Public Lands Day.

The event includes a service project which begins at 9 a.m. until 11 a.m., where volunteers can help enlarge the beach areas of Upper Lake Mary by spreading gravel in between the boat ramps with hand tools. Participants of that service project should bring a shovel and rake, if possible.

“The visitor-friendly surface has gone beyond a sun bathing area to a location sought after by school groups to study water conservation and aquatic ecosystem management,” said Justin Loxley, volunteer and partnership coordinator for the Flagstaff Ranger District. “It is our hope that by enlarging the beach area we can still accommodate the growing number of users and provide a safe and family friendly location for future recreational use.”

From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., people can visit with guests from the Forest Service, National Park Service, Arizona Game and Fish Department, Willow Bend Conservation Education Center, NAZ Flycasters, REI, raptors from the Flagstaff Arboretum, Arizona State Off-Highway Vehicle Ambassadors and more.  There will be an archery range for beginners, fishing games, fly casting lessons, inflatable kayaks and boating lessons for beginners.

Participants will receive a free National Public Lands t-shirt, while supplies last.  For more information please contact Justin Loxley at 928-527-8213 or see Upper Lake Mary Day Use Area Event [publiclandsday.org].

 

Update September 28, 2015 from Justin Loxley, Volunteer Coordinator:

A big thanks to all employees and volunteers that came out and supported our NPLD event at Upper Lake Mary. Our volunteers managed to move and spread over 150 tons of gravel and in the process created a new beach for everyone to enjoy!!! Our supporting partners, including AZGFD, REI, Toyota, USGS, City of Flagstaff, NAZ Flycasters, Willow Bend, The Arboretum, AZ OHV program really took an ordinary service project to a whole new level. A real big thanks for Smoky coming out, even though he had lots of other things to do!