CSA 2010 Finalist: Bill Toland
By: Dave Woodman, CSA Producer
Updated: October 20, 2009
A finalist for a 2010 Community Service Award loves the great outdoors, and desires to preserve it for others.
That's why you'll usually find Bill Toland working on trails at some of our favorite parks.
"We've built about 17 miles of natural surface trails now, and Bill has built about three more trails. He hasn't done it all by himself," says Bert Turner, a master naturalist.
When Bill retired and returned home to Central Arkansas, he soon found a perfect fit in the volunteer world.
"Well, after I retired I decided I was going to get involved with the things I like to do, which is basically the outdoors, and particularly being in the state of Arkansas with all the resources we have," Toland recalls.
Bill and friend Bert volunteer together to build and maintain trails in Burns Park.
"We've been working with them for about a year and-a-half, and I don't think I've ever come out here and not seen Bill with the rest of the group," says John Crow, the Assistant Parks Director. "Bill loves to be outdoors. He's been indoors most of his life until the last three or four years, but now he likes being out there workin' on the trails. He's out hikin' the trails with his granddaughter and with his sons."
Bill and the master naturalists also work on the trails at Pinnacle Mountain State Park, where Ron Salley is the park superintendent.
"He is one of those unique individuals that come prepared and has a wonderful sense of wanting to do the right thing as far as community and the park is concerned," says Salley.
When he's not working on trails, Bill is guide and lecturer at the Witt Stephens, Jr. Nature Center at Riverfront Park in Little Rock.
"He helps us out quite a bit out on the visitor's floor, answering questions that visitors may have and helping them understand what the displays and exhibits are all about," says Gordan Bagby with the Arkansas Game & Fish Commission.
So Bill Toland is back home, and plans to keep the great outdoors appealing and accessible for his fellow Arkansans.
"As long as the health will hold out and at that point then I might start stuffin' envelopes and makin' phone calls and raisin' money, but right now I'm stickin' to the outdoors," Bill says.
That's why you'll usually find Bill Toland working on trails at some of our favorite parks.
"We've built about 17 miles of natural surface trails now, and Bill has built about three more trails. He hasn't done it all by himself," says Bert Turner, a master naturalist.
When Bill retired and returned home to Central Arkansas, he soon found a perfect fit in the volunteer world.
"Well, after I retired I decided I was going to get involved with the things I like to do, which is basically the outdoors, and particularly being in the state of Arkansas with all the resources we have," Toland recalls.
Bill and friend Bert volunteer together to build and maintain trails in Burns Park.
"We've been working with them for about a year and-a-half, and I don't think I've ever come out here and not seen Bill with the rest of the group," says John Crow, the Assistant Parks Director. "Bill loves to be outdoors. He's been indoors most of his life until the last three or four years, but now he likes being out there workin' on the trails. He's out hikin' the trails with his granddaughter and with his sons."
Bill and the master naturalists also work on the trails at Pinnacle Mountain State Park, where Ron Salley is the park superintendent.
"He is one of those unique individuals that come prepared and has a wonderful sense of wanting to do the right thing as far as community and the park is concerned," says Salley.
When he's not working on trails, Bill is guide and lecturer at the Witt Stephens, Jr. Nature Center at Riverfront Park in Little Rock.
"He helps us out quite a bit out on the visitor's floor, answering questions that visitors may have and helping them understand what the displays and exhibits are all about," says Gordan Bagby with the Arkansas Game & Fish Commission.
So Bill Toland is back home, and plans to keep the great outdoors appealing and accessible for his fellow Arkansans.
"As long as the health will hold out and at that point then I might start stuffin' envelopes and makin' phone calls and raisin' money, but right now I'm stickin' to the outdoors," Bill says.
