Project Fact Sheet - Volunteers for Outdoor California

Project Fact Sheet: Santa Clara County Parks
Almaden Quicksilver and Calero County Parks
Presented by:
V
•O•Cal
Trail Overview
V-O-Cal volunteers are returning to the Santa Clara County Parks—this
time to shower love and attention on the single-track New Almaden
Trail in Almaden Quicksilver County Park, and maybe the new trail
connecting the not-yet-open Rancho San Vicente property to nearby
Calero County Park as well. In addition to the usual trail widening,
erosion controlling, bush trimming work on New Almaden Trail, we will
be removing a 16 foot bridge, and rerouting that section of trail to
create a rock water crossing instead.
Volunteers will be divided into crews of 8-12 volunteers and be
assigned to one section of the trail. All volunteers will be assigned to a
certified crew leader who will help with the proper tool usage, trail
design and monitor safe tool practices.
All tools and training are provided for volunteers. Please be sure to
wear comfortable work clothing and close-toed shoes.
Project Background
Almaden Quicksilver has a rich history of over 135
years of mining activity in its 4,000 acres, and currently
has over 500 plants and serpentine rock throughout
the park. The Blue Oak woodland is the predominant
oak community, along with patches of Live, Coast,
Valley, Black, California Scrub and Leather Oaks, all of
which provide food and shelter for the Acorn
Woodpecker, Gray Squirrel and Gall Wasp, as well as
snakes, skunks, toads and many more birds,
mammals and insects. 5 minutes away is Calero Park,
which offers a spectacular late spring display of
wildflowers and breathtaking views of southern Santa
Clara County and the surrounding Santa Cruz
Mountain Range from its California Oak woodland,
chaparral, riparian plant communities and associated
wildlife habitats.
Chino will be our head chef, and many of the kitchen
staff from Lime Ridge will be returning. Chris Fishel
has invited some musician friends to join him in a
jam Saturday evening, so it should be a congenial
camp with great V-O-Cal spirit. Bring a Frisbee or
musical instrument to join in the fun! Cell phone
connections in the camping area and on the trail are
intermittent….
Waivers
Returning V-O-Cal volunteers can reaffirm waivers
on file at registration and don’t need to bring a new
copy. First time V-O-Cal volunteers should print and
bring the included waiver.
New Almaden Trail over the years has had lots of
volunteer help from Boy Scouts to running clubs, to
organized trail groups building bridges, re-routing
trail and improving drainage.
Center Camp
Camping (optional) will be in at Almaden
Quicksilver’s well-appointed Mockingbird Hill staging
area. Plenty of parking, picnic tables, camping areas
around the parking lot, and a large rest room are
already there, and V-O-Cal will bring our shower
tents, so hot solar showers will be available in camp.
Page 2
Directions & Map
Page 3
Hazards, what to bring/wear, meals, camping
Page 4
Parking pass, registration form
Page 5 - 6 Liability waiver
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Project Fact Sheet page 1
Project Logistics - Driving, Parking, and Schedule
Parking & Shuttle:
There is plenty of parking at the
Mockingbird Hill staging area. Please do
not park on the road outside or you could
receive a citation.
Depending on the number of volunteers
who join us, we may car-pool. especially
on Sunday, to more remote locations on
the New Almaden Trail and also to Rancho
San Vicente, 2 miles away if we work there
on what will be new trail on land that will
become part of Calero County Park.
Driving Directions:
Carpool:
http://www.meetup.com/V-O-Cal-Carpoolers/#suggested
GPS Coordinates: 37.193859, -121.836970 or is it
37°11'37.9"N 121°50'13.1"W
(Note: When you put those in Google Maps, it identifies the
location as the Virl Norton trail, which starts at the
Mockingbird Hill staging area.)
From San Francisco and Peninsula: Take 280 South or 101
South to 280 towards San Jose
From East Bay: Take 24 or 580 to 680, or 680, and then 680
South to San Jose. At Hwy 101, 680 becomes 280
Schedule
All Drivers: From the intersection of 680 and 101 take 280
3.9 miles North to Guadalupe Parkway/CA 87S (Note: if
coming from SF on 280 S this will be 3.9 miles before you get
to 101/680
Friday
Take CA 87S 4 miles to Exit 1B—Hwy 85N towards Mt. View.
5:30pm - Registration and camping opens
at Almaden Quicksilver Park.
Take 85N 4 miles to Exit 6-Almaden Expressway
Saturday
7:30am - Registration, light breakfast, &
lunch prep begin.
8:30am - Morning greeting, announcements,
stretching and safety talk. Project begins.
12:30pm - Break for lunch on trail.
Turn left at light onto Almaden Expressway and go 4.4 miles to
Almaden Road
Turn Right on Almaden Road and go .6 miles to Mockingbird
Hill Lane
Turn Right on Mockingbird Hill Lane and go .3 miles to parking
lot on the left.
3:00pm - Head back to camp.
4pm - Drinks, appetizers, pool party and
socializing. (Solar showers available)
Almaden Expressway
5:45pm - Dinner and entertainment.
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7:30am - Registration, hot breakfast, and
lunch prep. 8:30am - Morning greeting,
announcements, stretching and safety talk.
Project begins.
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Sunday
11am – Work concludes/head back to camp.
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11:30am - Head back to camp to pack gear
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Project Fact Sheet page 2
Meals
Hazards
V-O-Cal provides all meals for volunteers from
breakfast Saturday through lunch Sunday. Vegetarian
options are available for all meals.
POISON OAK: There is a risk of exposure to poison
oak at the work site. Have your crew leader point some
out to you if you don’t know what it looks like. Clean
with Tecnu (which we provide) after the work day and
be cautious when handling your dirty clothes.
3 Please bring your own reusable plates, coffee
mug, cups and utensils. To minimize waste from
our projects, we ask that you bring your own
dishes. Hot water and soap are provided.
3 A continental breakfast is served Saturday morning.
3 Lunch is prepared before hitting the trails. We
provide lunch bags and lunch. We break for lunch
on the trail around 12:30 pm.
3 Please arrive at camp by 7:40 am to register, eat
breakfast and prepare your lunch.
3 Appetizers and beverages will be available at 4 pm
after the work day on Saturday. Dinner will follow at
5:30 pm.
3 Hot breakfast is served Sunday morning.
Camping
Camping will be at the Mockingbird Hill Staging Area
of Almaden Quicksilver Park. Park in the lot and
camp on the grassy areas surrounding the parking.
Please bring all necessary camping gear (listed on the
right). You may begin arriving Friday at 5pm. For
those arriving Saturday, you may need to set up your
camp after the work day. WE will have a camp
manager in camp at all times, who may spot any
unusual activity, but be sure to lock your valuables in
your vehicle.
TICKS: Ticks are always a hazard so it is important to
check during and after the project.
SHARP TOOLS: Please listen to your crew leader’s
tool safety talk and observe proper tool use throughout
the day.
HYDRATION / SUN EXPOSURE / HYPOTHERMIA: It
will be hot. Please bring at least one large bottle or
camelback (the more the better!) and drink plenty of
water throughout the work day. Wear a sun hat and
sunscreen. It may also be a little wet and chilly! Please
bring layers and rain gear and if you feel tired or weak,
let your crew leader know and take a break.
What to Bring and Wear
For your safety and protection from hazards, please be
prepared with the following items:
3 Water, sun hat, and sunscreen. You will not be
allowed on the trail without a water container.
3 Plates, utensils, coffee mug and a cup.
3 Work Gloves (V-O-Cal will provide extras).
3 Sturdy shoes or boots with tread. Working in sandals
or open-toed shoes will not be permitted.
3 Day pack to carry water and lunch.
3 Sunglasses.
3 Insect repellent, allergy medicine, etc.
3 A change of clothes for each work day and for
lounging at camp to minimize spread of poison oak.
3 Swim suit if you plan on swimming.
3 IF CAMPING: bring a tent, sleeping bag, folding
chair, flashlight, and other camping gear. A coffee
mug is also necessary. Bring a change of clothes!
A special thanks to V-O-Cal’s sponsors:
Agency Partner: Santa Clara Parks and
Open Space District
Project Lead . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Morris Older
Lead Chef . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Chino Yip
Crew leader Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Chris Moen
Technical Lead . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Woody Collins
Camp Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Francesca Verdier
Tool Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jon Cross
Truck Drivers . . . . . . . . Duane Sheets, Inome Callahan
Graphic Design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Janice Garsh
In-Kind Project Sponsors: Trefethen Family Winery ● Peet’s Coffee ● Trio Solea ● Ben & Jerry’s ●
Connoisseur Coffee ● Tecnu ● Cairn ● REI ● Sidley Austin ● Bouchaine Winery ● Metro Mobile
Communications ● Adventure Medical Kits ● Calistoga Clif Bar ● Napa
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Project Fact Sheet page 3
REGISTRATION AND CHECK-IN
Please register online at www.v-o-cal.org. Check in at the registration table when you first arrive.
If you did not register online, please fill out this sheet and bring it with you.
First Name________________________ Last Name________________________________
Email ___________________________
Address ___________________________________________________________________
City____________________________________ State______________Zip Code_________
Home Phone: ___________________________Cell Phone: __________________________
Work Phone:____________________________
If attending with a group, which group?
____________________________________
I’m participating:
o Saturday
o Sunday
Year of birth:________________
(This helps us with crew assignments and
project design)
How did you hear about this opportunity?
___________________________________
Comments/Questions:
PLEASE DETACH AND DISPLAY ON DASH
Volunteers for Outdoor California
Almaden Quicksilver
V
•O•Cal
Volunteer Pass
Friday 5/20
Saturday 5/21
Sunday 5/22
*** Please detach and display on dash. ***
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Project Fact Sheet page 4
WAIVER AND RELEASE
VOLUNTEERS FOR OUTDOOR CALIFORNIA
EXCULPATORY AGREEMENT, RELEASE, ASSUMPTION OF RISK, AND INDEMNIFICATION
READ THIS DOCUMENT CAREFULLY BEFORE SIGNING. THIS DOCUMENT IS A BINDING PART OF
YOUR PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT AND MAY HAVE SIGNIFICANT CONSEQUENCES.
In consideration of my being allowed to participate in the Volunteers for Outdoor California Project (the
“Project”) and on behalf of myself, my heirs, executors, administrators, legal representatives, assigns and
successors in interest (hereinafter collectively designated as “successors”), I do hereby release and waive all
rights or claims for damages, for death, bodily injury or loss of or damage to property from any cause
whatsoever I may have or which may accrue to me or my successors as a result of my participation in the
Project. I discharge and release Volunteers for Outdoor California, and its respective directors, employees,
interns, volunteers, representatives, agents, parents, subsidiaries, and affiliates from any and all liability arising
out of or connected in any way with my participation in the Project, whether or not caused by the negligence of
any of the above persons or entities.
My participation in the Project is voluntary and done at my own risk. I therefore voluntarily assume all risks of
loss, damage, injury or death that may be sustained while participating in the Project. In addition, I agree to
hold harmless from any and all claims, damages, losses, liabilities and costs (including without limitation
reasonable attorneys’ fees, expert witness expenses, litigation costs, and disbursements) all the entities and
persons mentioned above who other- wise might be liable to me or my successors for damages.
Notwithstanding anything stated in the foregoing paragraphs, nothing in this document shall apply to exempt
any per- son or entity from responsibility for his, her, or its own fraud, or willful injury to the person or property
of another, or violation of law whether willful or negligent.
In further consideration of my being allowed to participate in the Project, I hereby agree to indemnify, defend,
and hold harmless Volunteers for Outdoor California and its respective directors, employees, interns,
volunteers, representatives, agents, parents, subsidiaries, and affiliates (collectively, the Indemnified Parties)
from and against any and all claims, damages, losses, liabilities and costs (including without limitation
reasonable attorneys’ fees, expert wit- ness expenses, litigation costs, and disbursements) relating in any
manner, directly or indirectly, in whole or in part, to: (a) any act or omission of myself; or (b) any accident
involving any injury to any person or damage to property resulting from my participation in the Project, due to
any cause whatsoever.
I further agree to promptly assume my defense and indemnification obligations upon written notice from any of
the Indemnified Parties who may participate in the defense of any claim at their own expense. I agree not to
settle any claim without the consent of Volunteers for Outdoor California or any other entity that would incur
any liability for such claim under or following such settlement, which consent shall not be unreasonably
withheld.
I further understand that I may be photographed while participating in a Volunteers for Outdoor California
project and I hereby consent to the use and distribution of photographs and other likenesses of me on VOCal's
website, or in marketing and other materials relating to Volunteers for Outdoor California’s mission.
I further understand and agree that this waiver, release, and assumption of risk is binding on my successors.
I further represent and warrant that I am advised of the existence of California Civil Code section 1542, which
provides as follows: A general release does not extend to claims which the creditor does not know or suspect
to exist in his favor at the time of executing the release, which if known by him must have materially affected
his settlement with the debtor.
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Project Fact Sheet page 5
Notwithstanding this provision, this will constitute a full release in accordance with its terms. I knowingly and
voluntarily waive the provisions of Section 1542, as well as any other statute, law or rule of similar effect, and
acknowledge and agree that this waiver is an essential and material term of this release.
I HAVE CAREFULLY READ THE FOREGOING DOCUMENT AND UNDERSTAND THAT I AM WAIVING
IMPORTANT LEGAL RIGHTS, ASSUMING THE RISK OF FINANCIAL LOSS, BODILY HARM OR DEATH,
AND THAT I AM AGREEING TO PROTECT AND DEFEND THE INDEMNIFIED PARTIES AT MY OWN COST.
I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS A LEGALLY BINDING CONTRACT BETWEEN MYSELF AND OTHERS. I
HEREBY WARRANT THAT I HAVE THE RIGHT TO CONTRACT IN MY OWN NAME, OR IF ACT- ING ON
BEHALF OF A MINOR, HAVE EVERY RIGHT TO CONTRACT FOR THE MINOR IN THE ABOVE REGARD.
______________________________________________
Signature of Participant
__________________
Date
______________________________________________
Print Name
Address:_________________________________________________________________________________
City: _______________________________________________ State: _____________ Zip:______________
Email: _________________________________________________ Phone: __________________________
If Participant is under 18 years of age, a parent or legal guardian must sign below:
_____________________________________________
Signature of Parent/Guardian
_________________
Date
______________________________________________
Print Name
Emergency Contact Information
Name: ________________________________________________
Contact Phone: _________________________________________
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