Staff Report

(XENIA) — It was a busy weekend for the Greene County Parks & Trails Trail Sentinels.

From helping children navigate obstacle courses at the Fairground Recreation Center on Friday evening to greeting visitors at the Yellow Springs Street Fair on Saturday, the volunteer group spent much of the weekend serving as ambassadors for Greene County’s parks and trails system.

The Trail Sentinels, a volunteer organization that supports Greene County Parks & Trails through education, safety initiatives and community outreach, were heavily involved in two major public events over the course of the weekend.

The first came Friday, June 12, when Greene County Parks & Trails hosted its annual “Anything on Wheels” event at the Fairground Recreation Center in Xenia.

Held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., the free event transformed the recreation center’s paved areas into a safe playground for children riding bicycles, scooters, skateboards, tricycles and other wheeled vehicles. Families gathered as volunteers guided riders around a closed loop, distributed free helmets and cheered on youngsters as they gained confidence on wheels.

Trail Sentinels were stationed throughout the course, helping riders navigate turns and offering encouragement as children circled the loop.

For many families, the highlight of the evening was the obstacle course and portable ramps set up by Mike’s Bike Park. Children lined up to test their skills over bumps, around cones and up and down ramps designed to challenge riders while building confidence.

Mike’s Bike Park also supplied bicycles for children who did not have their own or simply wanted to try a different style of bike.

Nearby, Dick’s Sporting Goods staff handed out colorful bicycle bells and helped riders with quick adjustments and safety checks before they took to the course.

Representatives from Jeff Schmitt Auto Group were also on hand to support the event, while the Greene County Public Library brought its mobile book wagon stocked with children’s books and information about summer reading programs.

As the evening wore on, the Fairground Recreation Center became more than just a venue. It became a gathering place where children celebrated milestones—whether mastering a ramp or simply completing another lap—and volunteers celebrated right alongside them.

Less than 24 hours later, Trail Sentinels were back at work.

On Saturday, June 13, members of the volunteer group staffed a booth at the Yellow Springs Street Fair, providing information about Greene County’s parks and trail network, upcoming organized rides and other recreational opportunities throughout the county.

Trail Sentinels Gery Deer, Tom Fordon and Rick Sedlatschek spent the day answering questions from visitors, discussing popular trail routes and encouraging residents to explore the county’s growing system of parks and paved pathways.

The volunteers also distributed snacks and bottled water to visitors and conducted a survey designed to gather information about how residents use the trails and what amenities or improvements they would like to see in the future.

The outreach effort is part of the Trail Sentinels’ broader mission of promoting safe, enjoyable use of Greene County’s parks and trails while helping visitors discover new places to ride, walk and explore.

The volunteer organization works closely with Greene County Parks & Trails throughout the year, assisting with events, educating trail users and serving as a welcoming presence throughout the county’s recreational system.

In addition, another group of Trail Sentinels led the bi-weekly “morning milers” ride on Saturday morning. On alternating Saturdays, the Trail Sentinels lead a morning exercise ride or a more social, slower, night ride. They’ll also be leading the Greene County Veterans Suicide Prevention Bike Tour on Saturday, July 11th, to raise money for the Greene County Suicide Prevention Coalition’s Veteran Suicide Prevention Subcommittee.

This weekend’s events highlighted just how much of that work happens behind the scenes. Whether fitting a child with a helmet, handing out a bicycle bell, offering directions to a scenic trail or simply sharing a bottle of water and a conversation at a community festival, the Trail Sentinels spent the weekend doing what volunteers do best: helping people connect with each other, with their community and with the outdoors. For more information visit. https://www.gcparkstrails.com/events/

PHOTO GALLERY FROM BOTH EVENTS. Photos by Gery Deer