By Stephen Smoot
The tradition of Earth Day has inspired a group of Lincoln High School students who recently earned a grant to promote use and improvement of the West Fork River Rail Trail.
On April 22, 1970, American activists brought environmental concerns to the forefront of discussion by organizing the first Earth Day. This came less than a year after industrial waste Ohio’s Cuyahoga River, just south of Cleveland, burst into flame. Seeing an important river near a major industrial city set ablaze brought the attention of Americans and the federal government onto various problems related to environmental degradation.
Only three months after the first Earth Day, President Richard Nixon ushered into existence the Environmental Protection Agency. Ever since, environmental protection from reducing pollution of air and water to cleaning up trash has remained a priority from the federal government down to local town and county governments.
A group of Lincoln High School business students, now styled the EPIC Tourism Grant Planning Committee, earned a state grant last year to expand tourism and improve local attractions. The State awarded the students $15,000 as part of the EPIC grant program in September of last year
“We have worked with several community members, city, county, and state officials to organize and implement these efforts,” said Julie Yearego, Lincoln High School teacher and advisor to the committee.
Since then, high school students have organized events to boost use and awareness of the rail trail that follows the West Fork River through the area. Crowds gathered to attend events for both Hallowe’en and Christmas, but the students have long term plans to ensure that trail related events become self-sustaining.
The focus for spring falls on Earth Day with an “Earth Day Dash,” with family friendly fun and entertainment centering around a five mile run/walk taking place on Saturday April 20. Those 13 and older must pay a $30 fee to participate. Children can pay $10 to join a children’s run only for those between ages five and 12.
This will serve as “our final trail related activity,” Yearego explained.
Organizers urge participants to park at St. Ann’s Church, with check in and registration taking place there as well.
The children’s only event kicks off at 8:30 AM and starts right before the Shinnston Bridge. It runs to the Water Treatment Plant and back.
As Yearego explained, adults start at 9 AM “with walkers starting at 9:10 AM.” The “race is along the rail-trail just before Shinnston Bridge and will end just a few feet past Worthington Park.
Afterwards, those who took part “will be shuttled back from Worthington Park to Downtown Shinnston’s green space.” There, they can enjoy live music from Andy Benson, food vendors, “and Earth Day related activities for adults and children.” This includes seed plantings, rock painting, and more from 10 AM to noon.
Those with questions may call Mrs. Yearego at Lincoln High School at (304) 326-7400 or email shinnstontrails@gmail.com.
She noted that “my EPIC Tourism Executive Planning Committee has worked very hard to ensure its success for the Shinnston community