Celebrate Trails Day Events - April 27, 2024

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St. Tammany Parish Government and the Rails to Trails Conservancy will host the "Celebrate Trails Day" event on Saturday, April 27, at the Koop Drive Trailhead and throughout Camp Salmen Nature Park in Slidell. Ride our 31 mile Tammany Trace, participate in "Love the Boot Week" and learn about our parish's fascinating history and wildlife! Don't miss out on experiencing delicious food trucks from PJ's Coffee, DAT Fiya, Roux 437 and YumYum Gimme Sum!

Celebrate Trails at Koop Drive:

  • 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.: Tammany Trace Cleanup with Keep Louisiana Beautiful for Love the Boot Week. Click here for sign up information.
  • 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.: Join Alline LaSpina with Bike Easy of New Orleans and Trek Bicycle of Mandeville to discuss bike safety and the development of the Louisiana Bootlace Trail. Discussion will be followed by a group bike ride on the Tammany Trace to Abita Springs. There will be a short break to enjoy festivities at the Abita Trailhead before heading back to Koop Drive. (9 mile round trip.)
  • 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.: Don’t miss the St. Tammany Parish Animal Services Adoption Extravaganza! Give a loving home to a pet who will share adventures on and off the trail with you and your family!
  • 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Meet local historian Tom Aicklin who will discuss the significance of the Choctaw Trail and the Blue Ways bayou corridor.

Available Food Trucks at Koop Drive from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.: DAT Fiya, Roux 437 & PJ’s Coffee (11-1).

Celebrate Nature at Camp Salmen Nature Park:

  • 8 a.m. - 10 a.m.: Alex Landry is a Louisiana Master Naturalist with a love for birds! As a native of St. Tammany Parish, he is excited to lead attendees on a guided bird outing through Camp Salmen Nature Park. Limited number of binoculars available for loan.
  • 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.: Will Afton with the St. Tammany Parish Extension of the LSU Ag Center will host a plant identification walk and discussion about the importance of native plants and trees to maintain a healthy ecosystem. He will also explain the dangers invasive species pose to our native habitats.
  • 12 p.m. - 1 p.m.: Kevin McDunn is a Naturalist Guide and Environmental Science instructor who will host an identification tour and lecture about the positive impact snakes, reptiles, and amphibians have on our environment.
  • 1 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.: Karen Raymond, president of the Bayou Lacombe Museum, will discuss the Northshore's Native American cultural heritage, including recent discoveries showing indigenous presence on the Northshore dating to 3,000 years ago.
  • 1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.: Ben Taylor will discuss the historical importance of the Trading Post at Camp Salmen (dating to the 1700s-1800s), Camp Salmen's fascinating history and its influence on the development of early St. Tammany Parish, New Orleans and the Bonfouca area.

On site to provide delicious food and tasty snowballs from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. is the YumYum Gimme Sum Food Truck!