Gardendale Troop 100 started their New Year with a service project at the GUTS Trail. The multi-use trail is located at the Kenneth Clemons Recreational Complex . The GUTS trails system is just one of the vast recreational opportunities that awaits you all in one location off Fieldstown Road . The Complex has 2 regulation soccer fields, flag football field, walking track, disc golf course, dog park, playground and a splash pad (open during the summer months). It is also home of Gardendale’s Little Free Library. The free library is stocked by the Gardendale Public Library and was an Eagle Scout project of Julian Burkett of Troop 100.

The GUTS trail is a multi-use trail that is perfect for family hikes. The trail runs beside a bubbling creek and through a shaded path that gives you the feel of being far away from the city. It is also popular among trail runners that are preparing for endurance races. But the biggest population using the trail is mountain bikers. The trail is a perfect ride to practice your skills along 3 miles of trails designed with bikers in mind.

Troop 100 scouts spent almost three hours picking up trash and debris along the trail and unstopping dams caused by trees and trash. The most challenging aspect of the project was collecting trash from the almost straight up hillside that runs along one side of the creek. They used rope to climb down the side and buckets to pull the trash back up the embankment. There was an interesting variety of “treasures” recovered from the area. Some of the most notable items were a gas tank from a car, a manure scoop, and a riding lawnmower. There was enough trash to fill 2 dumpsters. The scouts were surprised that people would want to throw so much garbage in a place that was so beautiful. They also wanted to encourage everyone that visits the park to Leave No Trace, so that everyone can enjoy the parks without having to look at so much trash.

If you are in the north Jefferson area and have never visited the GUTS trail and all the other offerings of the Recreational Complex, it is located in the Kenneth Clemons Athletic Complex on Fieldstown Road.