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Who We Are The Orlean Community Trail System (OCTS) is a grassroots, community-based organization begun in 2004 and open to all residents living within ten miles of the Orlean Post Office. OCTS strives to create an inclusive community, engaging with neighbors and local organizations such as churches, commercial and civic groups, and the Orlean Volunteer Fire & Rescue Department (OVFRD). OCTS organizes and encourages social activities, community improvement efforts, and assistance with neighborhood trails for riders and hikers. The OCTS Website is a source of information about the organization and its activities; the OCTS Facebook page provides daily updates on such things as interesting activities, lost and found animals, road and weather hazards, and recommendations for local services. At its heart, OCTS is a loose association of neighbors who get together to better know one another and to encourage a cohesive and helpful environment with and for each other. It is not a Home Owners Association, does not have dues, and has no legal authority to direct or mandate anything. Its decision process is based solely on consensus of the Board members at its monthly meetings. These decisions generally correspond with various ongoing projects (e.g., litter pickup, pollinator meadow) and social events (e.g., Snipe Hunt, Barn Dance, Holiday Bonfire). OCTS has grown to:
OCTS has provided a platform for the launch of activities that include:
How Can I Join/Help? This one is easy. Please email admin@orleantrailsystem.org ------------------------------------------------------ Visit our Facebook page:
Virginia Equine Liability Act Equine Liability Act § 3.2-6200 - § 3.2-6203 As stated in the Virginia Outdoors Plan, 2018 - https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/recreational-planning/document/vopchapt03.pdf Volunteerism, Partnerships and Landowner Liability As volunteerism and partnerships for outdoor recreation and land conservation increase across the Commonwealth, so does the importance of the protections established in §29.1-509 of the Code of Virginia.** This law protects private landowners from liability when private lands are open to the public. Protection encourages property owners to continue to open lands for outdoor recreation. As long as landowners do not charge a fee for access, and there is no gross negligence or “willful or malicious failure to guard or warn against a dangerous condition, use or structure” on the property, they are protected from liability due to injury or death when they provide public recreation access. The law also limits the liability of landowners who enter into a lease agreement with state agencies. As stated in the Code of Virginia **https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title29.1/chapter5/section29.1-509/
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2020 NEWS & EVENTS ----------------------------------- ANNOUNCING OCTS BUSINESS DIRECTORY select from the homepage menu  The OCTS Business Directory gives local small businesses a place to advertise their services to the members of OCTS. Business owners are not allowed to advertise on the OCTS facebook page but are allowed to respond to requests for recommendations Business owners may contact Molly Savage at admin@orleantrailsystem.org for inclusion or to update their information in the directory. OCTS does not endorse and is not responsible for any of the businesses in the Business Directory. ----------------------------------- Just to be clear, OCTS is postponing or cancelling all near-term sponsored activities, including the litter pick-up and the Snipe Hunt, until life gets back to normal. If you participate in any groups like the book clubs or art group, please do not meet face-to-face until it is safe to do so. We are NOT isolated; we have Facebook, email, phones, the newsletter and the web page to share information, ideas on coping, ways to volunteer and to check on our neighbors, all the things we normally do. This situation won't last forever. We'll end up better and stronger as a community if we pay attention to the stay-at-home order, to our families and to our neighbors. And, oh, the stories we'll have! Alice Shelman, OCTS President ----------------------------------- SPRING NEWSLETTER  OCTS Photo Contest It's time to ENTER your favorite photographs that convey the beauty and spirit of our wonderful community. CATEGORIES Landscape • Critters and, CONQUERING CORONAVIRUS! We want to see how you, your family & neighbors are getting through these tough times. Dancing? Baking? Woodworking? Crafts? Volunteering? Family Fun? These photos will not be judged, only admired. deadline for your Photo Entries -- TBA! email images to: octsphotocontest@gmail.com and be sure to include your name, contact info & title to each photograph. ---------------------------------- Are you an OCTSer who would like to receive The Orlean Observer quarterly newsletter email? Please send your request to ----------------------------------- About Our Facebook OCTS Facebook is a powerful tool that helps bind our community together. There have
lately been several instances where comments have veered towards ugly,
complaining, and personal, none of which supports our community. OCTS welcomes
posts about things like:
Use
your good judgement and sense of civility when you post. ----------------------------------- Annual Snipe Hunt TBA ----------------------------------- |
