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.

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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, March 12, 2007

Early March Update

Friends:

IMPORTANT DATES
Workdays
Just a reminder that there is a workday scheduled for this Saturday, March 17, 2007, St. Patrick's Day, at 8:00 a.m. Meet at Pavilion I. I expect that we will have a good turn out. I have met some new hikers and bikers that I expect to come join our crew, including fellow hiker Vic Mitchell and his dog, Buck. I have several projects lined up including: closing off a section of trail that has been recently re-routed, benching (the never ending battle) a new section of trail, clearing downed trees and brush from the tornado beside Pavilion III to make room for a new section of trail that will connect the medium loop, and reinforcing some of our rolling water bars. Adam, Kurt, and David, please bring your chainsaws and safety equipment if you can.

There is also a workday scheduled for Saturday, April 21. I hope that we can use that to get the medium loop completely open.

Meetings
Our next meeting is Wednesday, March 14. It is going to be at the county library on Madison Street near downtown at 6:00 p.m. I expect that we will be in the meeting room to the right of the vestibule. I had previously announced the meeting was to be at 5:30 but it had to be changed. because there is a Conservation Board meeting at 4:30 at the courthouse. Several of us are planning on being at the Conservation Board meeting as there will be some Rotary Park issues discussed including the expected adoption of the new park rules.

PARK UPDATES

Signs
I have been in contact with the company that makes the signs for the U.S. Forest Service and the National Parks Service. They have a great product that will last for many, many years with little or no maintenance. Stacy Goodwin and Friends of Rotary Park have been exploring ways to pay for the new signs. We believe that we have found a way and hope to start installing signs within the next few months.

Trails
Earlier this winter, I marked a new section of trail leading up the hill from the Boy Scout Bridge to Pavilion III. Since then I have hiked it several times and made a few changes. Kurt and Glen have also hiked it with me and made suggestions, which I have or will incorporate. On March 3rd, I cleared ¾ of the trail. This section replaces the fall-line trail that went straight up/down the hill connecting the Boy Scout Bridge and Pavilion III.

This new trail serves four major purposes: 1) it will greatly reduce erosion issues; 2) it directs the user to a beautiful view at the top of the ridgeline that was not utilized by the old trail; 3) it adds a little extra trail for us all to use; and 4) it makes it much easier to climb the steep hill up to Pavilion III. I think that everyone will enjoy this new section if for no other reason than the view. When Adam first rode the new trail, I heard him break and say, "Wow, I had no idea that it was so pretty over here." He stopped his bike and took in the view for a moment, something we mountain bikers don't do enough of.

The final section of the medium loop is currently being flagged. There are a lot of gaps to be filed in, in part because tornado damage still blocks the path. However, the trail will traverse some very scenic parts of the park. I expect that the medium loop will be completed by late spring/ early summer (and we can check another project off our list of original goals. Way to go, crew).

There are two Eagle Scout Projects currently underway in the park. Both include the installation of new bridges in needy areas. Be on the look out for these projects and thank the scouts when you see them. They are great assets to the park.

Also, if you have not yet paid dues for 2007, please try to bring that with you to the workday. We are trying to build the coffer for some upcoming projects.

I expect that 2007 will see great improvements in Rotary Park that even the least observant user will notice and appreciate. If you have any comments or suggestions about any of our projects, please do not hesitate to contact me about it.

See you on the trials.

Chris Clark

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