by Matt Konkle
Torque Managing Editor
With scores of available tent sites, plenty of fishing areas, boating possibilities, and miles of hiking, horseback and ATV trails, the Blue Lakes Recreation Area inside Mississippi’s Delta National Forest provides all kinds of outdoor activities.
And sometimes, when you arrive at these types of places, you rely on local information to figure out the optimal way to spend a day or two.
Which is why the latest Quadratec 50-for-50 Trail Improvement Initiative helped install new kiosk signage for the area — providing much-needed knowledge of the surrounding location to visitors.
The recreation area sits near Rolling Fork, Mississippi, about 20 minutes northwest of Holly Bluff and is a somewhat secluded getaway spot that is perfect for those who want to decompress and spend some nature time.
Earlier this month, three volunteers replaced the kiosk signage that had been damaged from previous floods.
“We are so thankful for Quadratec and Tread Lightly! for their help in creating new kiosk signs for our Blue Lake Recreation area,” said John Wesley Crews, Acting District Ranger, USFS Delta Ranger District. “This area is one of the most frequently used locations in Delta National Forest for both camping and day-use picnicking. The new kiosk signage welcomes users, identifies what motorized and non-motorized activities are in the surrounding area and how to recreate them responsibly.
”Unfortunately, this kiosk has been empty after the numerous years of flooding destroyed our previous signage, but it is now informative and beautiful.”
This Blue Lake Trail Recreation Area Sign Installation Project was the 21th of 50 trail and public land restoration events that Quadratec will help sponsor in each state by the end of 2023.
So far, through its supported projects, the 50-for-50 Stewardship Grant has accumulated 5,257 volunteer hours with a total value of $156,865, pulled away 91,235 pounds of trash and improved 542 miles of trail.
Quadratec’s ’50-for-50’ stewardship grant fund helps project managers pay for equipment, fees, volunteer support, food, fuel, signage and other miscellaneous costs.
Quadratec has been a supporting partner of Tread Lightly! for more than 20 years, and a longtime fundraiser for Tread Lightly!’s stewardship programs. The company has also promoted Tread Lightly! and other trail restoration efforts through its Quadratec Cares ‘Energize the Environment’ program.
Clubs and individuals are required to be active, supporting members of Tread Lightly! to be eligible to apply for ’50-for-50’ grant funding. To learn more about the Quadratec ’50-for-50 program, visit Quadratec's 50 for 50 Trails Stewardship Grant Initiative.
Related Articles:
Quadratec, Tread Lightly ’50-for-50’ Trail Cleanup — Coal Township, Pennsylvania
Quadratec, Tread Lightly! ’50-For-50’ Public Land Cleanup — Lansing, West Virginia
Quadratec, Tread Lightly! ’50-For-50' Cleanup — Brooksville, Florida
