When Kevin Pelin moved to Huntsville from Pennsylvania in 2013, he never imagined that the trails on Monte Sano would become such an integral part of his life. What began as a weekend trail run quickly evolved into a passion for building and maintaining trails that benefit the entire community.

“One Saturday morning, not long after I arrived, I went out for a trail run on Bluff Line Trail and I was totally taken with it. I mean, it just blew me away,” Kevin said.

Kevin’s appreciation for Huntsville’s natural spaces soon transformed into action. After learning about volunteer opportunities through Land Trust emails, he began attending trail maintenance work days whenever his schedule allowed. 

“The more I did, the more I enjoyed it, and the more I wanted to make time available,” he explained.

By 2018, after retiring from his management career, Kevin made trail work a central part of his life. Over the past decade, he has worked and led hundreds of trail care work days and maintenance projects.

Building New Trails and Lasting Friendships

When asked about his favorite project, Kevin didn’t hesitate: the Green Mountain Trail. 

“A lot of what we do is rerouting or improving trails, but that was a brand-new trail. It did not exist before we started. From my first day on it—walking with Tim Barnack and two chainsaws—to the two years it took to complete, it was a shared quest. We were creating something entirely new,” he said.

Kevin described the camaraderie that developed among the regular volunteers as one of the most rewarding aspects of the work: “Most of us were retired and just enjoyed working together. There’s a sense of satisfaction in seeing what we created together and then hearing feedback from people who use the trails. You can see the impact it has on the community.”

What Does a Trail Day Look Like?

Trail work can be a strenuous task. Kevin explained: “A lot of the work we do is hard. This morning, for example, we hiked a mile and a half just to get to the work site, where we were laying rock in the trail bed—some rocks weighing hundreds of pounds. It’s physical work and not without risk. But there are tasks for all levels. Sometimes it’s as simple as clearing debris with a rake to ensure water drains properly.”

The Land Trust’s volunteer program welcomes all skill levels, and Kevin strives to make everyone feel included.

“We always find something to do, and we make sure first-time volunteers have a good experience and feel useful,” he said.

Why Volunteering Matters

For Kevin, the importance of volunteering lies in understanding that trails do not maintain themselves. 

“I think most people, if they’ve never done trail work, don’t realize that trails just don’t come into existence by natural processes,” he said. “Maybe five percent of the people who hike a trail ever work on one, but that five percent is critical. The trails exist only because people volunteer their time.”

Kevin considers the Land Trust’s trail system the “crown jewel of Huntsville,” providing spaces for residents to walk, run, bike, and explore. 

“It was most pronounced during the COVID shutdown. Trails were one of the few places people could go without restrictions. To have that available for the community is an incredible asset,” Kevin said.

Looking Ahead: A New Chapter in Colorado

As Kevin prepares for his next adventure, he reflects on his time in Huntsville with gratitude: “We’re moving to Colorado, where there’s no shortage of hiking and biking trails. There’s a group there that does trail work, and I plan to connect with them. It’s a new chapter.”

Kevin leaves behind a lasting legacy—miles of well-maintained trails, memories of hard work, and a community that benefits daily from his dedication. 

“Trail work is a lot of work, but seeing the finished result—accessible, all-weather trails that everyone can enjoy—is where the real satisfaction comes from,” he said.

For those considering volunteering, Kevin offers simple advice: “The trails are here because people give their time. More people should experience the satisfaction that comes from contributing to something that benefits the whole community.”

Get Involved

Anyone who would like to become a Land Trust volunteer can visit https://landtrustnal.org/support/volunteer/ to see opportunities and register for trail care work days.