PICTURED: From left to right, SRG Executive Director Elaine Paul Schaefer, Zephz President/Owner David Snyder, and SRG Trails Project Manager Robert Folwell.

Zephz Athletic Footwear, a worldwide brand based in the U.S., recently agreed to provide a one-year $500 donation to the Schuylkill River Greenways National Heritage Area’s Sponsor-a-Trail program for care and upkeep of a 1-mile stretch of the Schuylkill River Trail Thun Section. The section of the trail included in the sponsorship begins at the west end of the Douglassville Bridge and stretches for a mile until just west of the Duberstein Campground in Union Township.

Signs recognizing Zephz as a Sponsor-a-Trail participant have been installed beside the trail segment. The company produces athletic footwear for cheerleading, field hockey and several other sports. For more about Zephz, visit the website at www.zephz.com.

The Sponsor-a-Trail Program is targeted to businesses and organizations who wish to make a two- to three-year financial commitment to support costs associated with trail management and maintenance for a specified segment of the trail. Signs acknowledging participants are posted along the sponsored segment.

The Schuylkill River Greenways NHA is responsible for maintaining 28 miles of the Schuylkill River Trail in Berks and Schuylkill Counties. Since limited funds are available, an active group of volunteers regularly grooms the trail and trailheads. Even with volunteer labor, the Schuylkill River Greenways pays hundreds of dollars per mile annually on trail maintenance for items such as fuel for mowers, a small stipend for two volunteer coordinators, and equipment.

The Sponsor-a-Trail program provides opportunities for organizations and businesses to care for the trail.

“We at Schuylkill River Greenways are very appreciative of the donation from Zephz and our other Sponsor-a-Trail participants who make it possible for us to maintain a popular section of the trail so people can continue to enjoy this recreational resource,” said Schuylkill River Greenways NHA Executive Director Elaine Paul Schaefer.

The Schuylkill River Greenways NHA seeks donations that cover multiple years, since signs are posted naming Sponsor-a-Trail donors. Those interested in becoming a Sponsor-a-Trail participant or want to learn more about the program can contact the Schuylkill River Greenways NHA at 484-945-0200, or email Trails Project Manager Robert Folwell at rfolwell@schuylkillriver.org. For more about the Schuylkill River Trail, CLICK HERE.