Friends of Rotary Park: August 2006

Friends of Rotary Park

This is a service provided to the users of Rotary Park in Clarksville, Montgomery County, Tennessee. It is hosted by Friends of Rotary Park, a newly formed volunteer group that is dilligently working to improve the trail network at the park. This site provides information about current, past, and future trail development.

About Me

Rotary Park is a county-owned natural park in Clarksville, Montgomery County, Tennessee. It consists of two adjoining tracts of land that make up about 95 acres of mostly undeveloped, wooded land. There is one park entrance/exit that is paved and runs to the back of the park. There are three pavilions along the roadway with the largest being at the road's end. Rotary Park has an extensive trail network and is open to hikers and bikers. The new push for extensive trail work is necessary because most trails were improperly built by ATVs and motorcycles. Motorized vehicles are now banned from the park. Furthermore, the trails are showing signs of serious erosion. Most recently, a large amount of sustainable trail located outside of the park's boundary has been taken by development. The Friends of Rotary Park is dedicated to restoring and improving the park. Those interested in joining Friends of Rotary Park can do so by contacting Chris Clark at 931-801-3898. Dues are $25.00 for a family membership.

Monday, August 14, 2006

Workday This Saturday

First, I would like to announce that we have a new member. Please welcome Wanda Cumberland to our group. She is a past president of the Tennessee Trails Association and has been an active user and advocate of Rotary Park for a long time.

Also, this is a reminder that we have a workday scheduled for this coming Saturday, August 19th. All three pavilions are currently reserved; somebody is filming a movie or a commercial. I hope that this will not interfere with our plans for the day too drastically. However, we cannot meet at Pavilion I as originally planned. Therefore, I ask that we all meet at the bottom parking lot near the creek. There is a covered picnic area there and we can use it. Also, there is plenty of parking there.

My plan is to divide up into probably three groups. Two groups will be benching trail and the other will be clearing the newest section of trail that we made in the TVA easement. In the summer, that area grows up with tall brush and has to be cleared. It is time. If anyone has a brush cutter, that would work best in that area. But, just in case, I urge everyone with shears to bring them. We might have to do it the hard way.

If we have enough people, I might have a two-person team move some dirt into some needed areas. We will need at least two wheelbarrows this Sat., so if you have a truck and can bring on, please do so.

Remember, we will have a short meeting that morning so please try to be there promptly at 8:00 so we can get started. I look forward to seeing everyone. Don't forget gloves, water, and tools.

Chris