Purpose: To express our gratitude to Denbury Resources Inc. for making a major adopting donation and challenging other corporate sponsors to make a donation to the long awaited impoundment structure for the Beaver Pond.  Along with the contributions from Forrest General Hospital, The Eastern Fishing and Rental Tool Company, and several other corporate sponsors, it will enable us to begin.  The improvements to this 24 acre facility and its 12-15 acre pond will eventually include primitive camping facilities, and an outdoor nature classroom. It is also a goal to extend the horse trail from Epley to the Beaver Pond and construct a horse corral for equestrian use.

Hosted by: The Longleaf Trace, the Friends of the Trace, and the Pine Belt Pacers

Eligibility: All persons of all abilities are eligible. You do not have to be a member of the Friends of the Trace to attend. The public is welcome!

Drawing: All attendees will be eligible for the drawing of a Raleigh Venture 3.0 adult comfort bicycle donated by Moore’s Bicycle Shop, and a child’s bicycle donated by Hattiesburg Bicycle Center.  Tickets for the drawing will be distributed to all attendees as they arrive at Beaver Pond.

Food: Cooked on site, and hot dogs and hamburgers will be served to all attendees immediately following the ceremony.

Denbury Challenge Ride: The bikers will assemble at Sumrall Station at 7:30am and join and host bikers from Denbury Resources Inc. The ride will start promptly at 8:00.  Course: The cyclists will ride west to Lott Circle, turn around and ride east to the Southern Miss Gateway and turn around again so as to arrive at the Beaver Pond by 11:00 (~40 miles).  Any biker wanting a less strenuous distance option may join the ride at Sumrall or Epley, or turn around earlier as they choose, as long as they arrive at the Beaver Pond by 11:00.  Runners, walkers and skaters can also start from the Gateway, Epley, Clyde, or Jackson Road, starting as necessary to arrive at the ceremony by 11 AM. (Note that there is a USM home game that will make parking at the Gateway difficult.)

Entry Fee: No fee! 

Registration: Members of the Friends of the Trace or the Pine Belt Pacers can pre-register and pick up an event souvenir t-shirt at the Gateway on Friday, October 27^th.  Registration will continue at the start of the ride in Sumrall and at Beaver Pond if t-shirts are still available. All persons who receive a t-shirt are asked to wear them to the event at Beaver Pond. Get registration form.

Shuttle: Anyone who would like to attend the ceremony and cookout at the Pond but is unable to get there under their own power may ride shuttles that will operate from Epley Station starting at approximately 10:00.  If you have any questions please contact Trail Manager Herlon Pierce at 601-315-2453.

See the 10/25/06 Hattiesburg American Article on the Denbury Beaver Pond Festival