Sun + Friday + Eastside Catholic Students = A Party (A Trail One, at Evans Creek Preserve)

There was a consensus among the students at Evans Creek Preserve on Friday, as they moved dirt and crushed rock and cut trees: This sure beat sitting in a classroom.

Sure, there was an open meadow, views of the Cascade Mountains and soaring Alder, Cedar and Big Leaf Maple trees. But this was no ordinary party. This one required their minds and physical labor.

About 40 students from the Sammamish school helped cut a new trail at the city's Evans Creek Preserve - which is scheduled to open in October - by sawing, digging, pounding, raking and sweating.

"I was looking for a project for them," said Clare Jenkins, who teaches environmental science at Eastside Catholic School. "This fell into place."

She and her students received guidance from Washington Trails Association representatives, who worked alongside them in the area north of Sahalee Way Northeast and south of State Route 202.

With temperatures in the high 60s and the sun bearing down, student Max Wolfram, 18, swung a heavy tool into the dirt. Then, he and a classmate pulled up the grass and dirt and tossed both to the side.

"We're putting what we were taught into action," he said. "We're creating a path so people can see what we want to protect."

For about six hours, the students worked about a mile from the trail head. One group, including student Ethan Hallowell, was in a wooded area and used saws and other heavy equipment.

"This place was just covered when we came out here," Hallowell, 18, said. "I didn't think we'd clear this much."

Emily Sullivan, 18, also served on the tree-cutting crew. "I took down a tree. I thought I could never do that," she said.

"This showed us one way we could help. I'm kind of tired but it's been good." 

One advantage of having a trail - which will have pounded rock for visitors to step on - at Evans Creek Preserve is to guide hikers so they can enjoy the area buthave a low impact, said Krista Dooley, WTA youth programs manager.

If visitors walked across the meadows and in the sensitive wetland area, plants might not survive, she added.

She was also grateful that so many Eastside Catholic School students showed up. "With a group this size, we can get a lot of work done," she said. 

A usual work party consists of 10 to 18 people.

For Jenkins, working in the Sammamish area was important. "I know there are global needs but there are local needs. I've always felt that way," she said.

"We've talked about erosion in class. Now, they understand it better."

She also was pleased to see her students work together, as they laid rock, cut the trail through the meadow and removed small trees.

"My goal in another year or two is to build an educational trail on our campus," she added.

Editor's note: If you'd like to help build the trail at Evans Creek Preserve and participate in other efforts at the 179-acre site, the city of Sammamish is accepting volunteers. The next scheduled volunteer dates are May 24 and June 4 and 18.