Strong trails are built by strong organizations — but at DORBA, that also means getting your hands dirty. I got together with a long-time, dedicated steward who isn’t afraid to get scratched up, push through sore muscles, and show up again year after year with the same passion he started with. Meet Dennis Welpe, Trail Steward at River Legacy Park — a title that fits perfectly, because like the trails he tends, Dennis has built a legacy of his own.
JD: Take us back to the beginning — when did you first get involved with DORBA, and when did you step into the Trail Steward role?
DW: I got involved with DORBA in 2000 thanks to Pam J. I didn’t become TS until Sandy C was Prez. Around 2004 when Clive W stepped down.
When you first took on the role, did you fully understand what it would involve? How did you find your footing, and did other stewards help guide you along the way?
Good question, and there isn’t a book about being a Trail Steward. I gained a lot of good experience volunteering at Cedar Hill, LBH, and other trails before becoming a trail steward. The best way to find your footing is to be willing to ask questions, rely on others, and be open to learning new skills. I have attended and staffed many trail schools over the years. It took me years to learn other aspects of being a TS. One of the things that helped tremendously on River Legacy was the development of a very good team of trail volunteers who care for the trail as much as I do. Another advantage was having a great assistant, Glenn S, who helped develop rapport with the City of Arlington. I learned a lot from him on this. As a TS, you need to know who the landholder or controlling authority is. At RL, it is the City of Arlington and the River Legacy Foundation which operates the River Legacy Nature Center. That means working closely with the Arlington Parks department and the Foundation. Thanks to building a great rapport with all involved, when trail issues arise, they can be easily addressed and resolved with the City early on regarding changes that was happening on trail.
Over your many years of service, which trail builds, events, or volunteer experiences have stood out the most — and which ones do you feel made the biggest impact?
Volunteering at Bar H Bash and other DORBA Races, and cooking for the RCP Full Moon Ride were great in my early years. Clearfork has always been a good event and a way to meet other mountain bikers. And then NTX Mountain Patrol was formed, which provided another way to give back and continue to serve the mountain bike community. One event that stood out was a Cedar Hill workday and I cooked for the event.
What are some things about the Trail Steward role that most people would never guess from the outside?
In the role of TS, you are the team leader which requires building trust with your volunteers. You are the one guiding the team, but it also requires watching, listening, and learning each individual's strengths and skillsets.
What do you love most about being a Trail Steward?
I love the mountain bike and hiking community, the people with whom I get to interact. It is especially enjoyable to help the Junior Riders who enjoy riding with their families on trails that accommodate all levels of riders. Over the years, RL developed as a family-friendly beginner trail with some advanced areas. River Legacy was just 2.75 when I became TS but as of today it has close to 14 miles of rolling, enjoyable trails.
For someone who’s curious about becoming a Trail Steward — what advice would you give them?
Find ways to learn from others, use resources like IMBA, other trail stewards, and your community of trail users. As a mountain biker, other riders opinions are important.
Beyond the trails themselves, how has this role shaped you personally?
It has definitely helped increase my management skills and teamwork perspective. I have become a better leader, with improved communication skills as I have learned to work with the Parks Department and the City of Arlington.
Yes I grew up in Scouting and continue to give back. Through scouting I have learned how important Servant Leadership is. As trail steward I have been able to apply those ideals to the mountain bike community. Some of my closest friends say I have a servant's heart. I love that because I find so much joy in serving others.
Dennis' cobblers cooked live on site have become a signature feature of DORBA's annual Camp Clearfork.