The main focus is to clear the trails of fallen trees and debris that has accumulated over time. There are 36 miles of trails to be covered and normally about 6-8 miles are done each outing, so it is an ongoing challenge to keep all areas cleared.

In addition to removing downed trees the group keeps the yellow and white blaze trail markings visible for hikers. Foot bridges that traverse wet areas and small ravines are also built and maintained. Where the trails run horizontally to the hillside, small fallen trees are placed and secured to the down side of the trail to prevent erosion from damaging the trail.

Along with clearing scenic overlook areas and maintaining benches and signs, trimming brush and briars away from the trails is also an important function of “the gang”.

In addition to trail maintenance, each year in early March “the gang” assists in the maple syrup program put on by the Oil Creek State Park. This involves tapping trees, gathering sap, splitting wood and boiling the sap to make syrup.

It is the hope of the “Over the Hill Gang” that the Gerard Hiking Trail is a pleasurable experience for all who use the trail.

Anyone interested in volunteering should contact the park office at 814-676-5915.

Over the Hill Gang Photo Album -- Photos by: Duane Whitehill and Ted Cox
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Orphan Wells Project

Volunteers from both the Friends group and Venango Pa Senior Environmental Corp (PaSEC)search the hillsides to locate these abandoned wells.

From 1997 to 2010
11 well plugging projects have been completed
2.2 Million dollars has been contributed by Growing Greener with an average cost of $4,300 per well site
528 Orphaned wells have been plugged
651 Additional wells are currently on the inventory, pending funding.

Since 2003 more than 690 wells have been located. In 2009 alone 150 wells were found.

For more information about the project visit the Venango PaSEC web site at Orphan Wells Project

To volunteer for the project contact the park office at 814-676-5915

Abandoned Wells Photo Album
Well Hunter and Well Plugging Photo Album
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Summer Biathlon Volunteers

Train Station Visitors Center - Friends volunteers man the visitors center Saturday and Sunday during the season.

• Larger Photo

EE&I volunteers

• Splish-Splash Walk - Looking for macro-invertebrates
  Macro Photo Album -- Photos by Judy Stevenson (link broken)
• Crayfish Walk - Looking For Crayfish in Oil Creek
  Crayfish Walk Photo Album
  
• Snake Program - Common Sankes of Oil Creek State Park
  Snake Program Photo Album
  
• Wild Flower Walk – Some of the Wild Flowers of Oil Creek State Park
  Wild Flower Photo Album Photos by Chris Richter (link broken)