While hiking our trail is great fun, for many volunteers, maintaining it is even more so. Maintenance activities includes clearing dead fall; installing and replacing trail signage; trimming brush and weeds from the trail, mowing the trails. We also install and repair bridges and fence crossings. The tools we use are Chain saws, Mowers, Weed eaters, Clippers, Hammers, and small hand tools. The association will train you in the use of any tools. All the volunteers have WCB coverage.

A maintenance crew usually goes out to the trail site as a small group with the required maintenance equipment, leaving Edmonton about 09:00 and returning by late afternoon. As for time commitment, you can work as many or as few days as you want. We usually work about 6 to 8 days in May/June and a few more in Sept/Oct. We schedule our work to when people are available working week days as well as Saturdays.

What makes a good maintenance volunteer? An individual in reasonably physical condition, who enjoys working with their hands and sharing in the fellowship of a small dedicated group of volunteers. The Trail Maintenance. Guide provides more details. 

Safety is a primary consideration for the Waskahegan. As a result, all hikes are led by a designated Hike Leader. This person is responsible for the route, timing and well-being of the group. The Sunday Hike Leader's Guide is available in pdf form. As a summary, whether in the City of Edmonton or in the country side, hike leaders will:

• Be available by phone in case members or members of the public have questions
• Scout the trail before the hike, typically with a member of the maintenance group
• Arrive about 30 minutes early, as hikers arrive plan to do the following:
• Ensure everyone Signs In
• Ensure that association member has completed a Member Waiver for that year.
• One Guest/Non-Member Waiver is required for each adult who is not a WTA member.
• Children of either Members or Non-Members must have a Child Waiver completed for them by their legal guardian.
• Instruct new people of the nature of the trail, need for boots, fluids, lunch, etc.
• Provide travel instructions
• During the hike:
• Lead the hike at a reasonable pace, not a jog, not a stroll but a suitable pace
• Arrange separation breaks (bathroom breaks)
• Lunch and breaks
• Monitor the mood and well-being of the group and adjust accordingly
• Invite everyone to come for a post-hike coffee