For Immediate Release
Contact: Mike Welch, Stewardship Director: 307-733-4534

Fitzgerald's Bicycles Steps Up to Sponsor Friends of Pathways Stewardship Program

Although the leaves are changing on the Aspens and the tourists have all gone home, plenty of local citizens continue to use the pathways in and around Jackson Hole for recreation, transportation and exercise. Fitzgerald's Bicycles has provided funding to Friends of Pathways to keep the vital Stewardship Program running through the months of fall ensuring pathways and pathway amenities are well maintained. "Locals are continuing to ride to work, for recreation and to get their kids to school. It's important that we keep the pathways safe and useable even after the tourists go home", said Friends of Pathways Stewardship Director Mike Welch.

Fitzgerald's Bicycles was quick to support the program early this spring when the idea of a Stewardship Program emerged. Throughout the summer the shop was able to donate materials to fix trailers and helped maintain the stewardship bicycles. When Friends of Pathways decided to continue the program into the fall, Fitzgerald's stepped up with a generous gift to help make that happen. "Partnerships between local business and non-profits are essential to growth in our community. We saw the Stewardship Program as an asset to our riders and the community and wanted to help it be sustainable", stated Scott Fitzgerald, Owner of Fitzgerald's Bicycles. Donations to support the Stewardship Program can be made at www.friendsofpathways.org. 100% of gifts will benefit pathway maintenance and stewardship in Jackson Hole.

The Stewardship Program is a joint program operated by Friends of Pathways and Town/County Jackson Hole Community Pathways to help manage maintenance costs and provide quality pathway care. Ambassadors have spent the past few months patrolling pathways, keeping mutt-mitt stations filled and bathrooms cleaned, answering questions and doing minor maintenance. The program has helped generate over 1,000 volunteer hours, both children and adults, to stain bridges, sweep debris and maintain the pocket parks around town. For more information on this program, please visit the Friends of Pathways website at www.friendsofpathways.org.