Keep THE Trail Goathead-free

Goatheads (puncturevine) are invasive, annual weeds that produce hundreds of spiky seeds on each plant. The seeds can flat a bicycle tire or injure a dog’s paw. If you walk or ride your bicycle across a goathead, seeds may stick in the sole of your shoe or in your bike tire.

The thorns “hitch a ride” on your shoe or tire. Maybe they will drop off, or you’ll pull them out, leaving spiky seeds along the side of the trail. Thus does this evil weed spread.

Most of Parley’s Trail is currently goathead-free. But, there are a couple bad patches in the western section of the trail, and some near Tanner / Parley’s Historic Nature Park. Parley’s Trail also connects to the Jordan River Trail which has a significant (infamous?) infestation.

Volunteers are needed to adopt sections of the trail:

• Learn how to identify and remove goatheads - online video “training”.

• Pick a segment to adopt (see trail segment maps). Please choose a section where you can commit to walk (or bike VERY slowly) about every 2 weeks from early April to the end of September. We have mapped out 17 sections.

• Report infestations, even a single plant.

• Pull out goatheads yourself — we’ll provide a tool. You can also pull them (carefully) with your bare hands, and throw them into the trash. A plastic grocery store bag is sufficient for the occasional plant or two.

• Get a few friends to help. Coordinate a small (socially-distanced) pulling party for small / medium infestations. You’ll need a few heavy-duty trash bags.

• Send an SOS to the PRATT board for larger infestations so we can get additional help.