09/04/2026
Huge shout‑out to TCTA member Lance Colhouer! Even though Lance now lives in Colorado, he still “earns his dirt” every time he comes back to Topeka—jumping right in to help maintain our trails. This week alone he put in 11 volunteer hours grooming sections of the system. His hard work even earned him a second Trail Crew shirt, since the first one (from years ago) has officially been worn out by dirt, sweat, and miles of service. Lance is just one example of the incredible dedication our members bring to the community.
Our community thrives because people, like Lance and many others, care about keeping our trails safe, beautiful, and well‑maintained. Whether you’re a long‑time member or someone who simply wants to lend a hand, here’s how volunteering with TCTA works.
We coordinate all trail maintenance closely with our trail crew, trail coordinators, and the land managers we partner with. This ensures every project—big or small—is approved, safe, and aligned with the needs of each property. Because of these partnerships, all volunteers must have liability waivers on file with TCTA and Land Manager before participating in trail work.
Anyone can volunteer! Our Trail Work Days happen once a month, usually on Saturday mornings. These events are perfect for new volunteers and a great way to learn how we care for the trails we manage.
Volunteers can also become TCTA members. A lifetime membership is a one‑time $50 fee that goes directly to the trails. Members have their paperwork on file and can “Earn Their Dirt” by contributing 20+ volunteer hours. Those that gain that experience and reach that milestone earn a trail crew shirt and then may perform basic maintenance—like lopping, mowing, w**d trimming, or leaf blowing—with a quick notification to the appropriate trail coordinator.
Projects such as trail building, erosion repair, reroutes, and other complex maintenance must be approved by our main trail coordinator who is also a board member. With multiple trails and land managers (Washburn, KDWP, SCPR, and others), coordination keeps everything running smoothly and responsibly.
Our upcoming Trail Work Day is Saturday, September 12 at 8:00 a.m. at the Governor’s Trail. All are welcome—members, volunteers, and anyone curious about getting involved.
If you’d like to volunteer or become a member, reach out and we’ll help you get started. We’re grateful to everyone who helps keep our trails thriving.
https://tctaks.com
