Project Updates
Next Workday - August 4th, 8:00 a.m.
Meet in the middle parking lot next to the creek and close to Pavilion II. Look for my red Ford Ranger with topper and bike rack.
Andrew Johnson – Eagle Scout
Andrew Johnson has been planning his Eagle Scout project at Rotary Park for quite sometime. The past two weekends saw that planning spring into action. Approximately twenty Boy Scouts worked feverously to complete a variety of tasks on the Blue Bird Loop across from Pavilion I. The most noticeable of these is the installation of a new bridge connecting Pavilion I to the trailhead across the street. As you all know, the drain running along side the road is shallow but very steep. Andrew used engineering standards provided by the International Mountain Bike Association to design and construct a twelve-foot long bridge making it a synch to cross the drain. The construction is out of this world. Andrew used all treated lumber donated by Home Depot for the footers, stringers, and support beams. The footers were embedded into concrete and the supports and stringers were attached using industrial grade lag bolts, instead of just wood screws. The decking is composite and is sure to withstand the test of time. This bridge sets new standards for construction for all future trail features.
Andrew and his pack also installed a beautiful, rustic, wood-post fence inside the wood-line at this trailhead. The fence separates two sections of the Blue Bird Loop where the trail switches back on itself. This should prevent people from shortcutting the trail and user-made fall-line trails from appearing. Like the bridge, the fence posts are treated and embedded in two feet of concrete. It should withstand the test of time and provide us with years of enjoyment. Andrew and crew also groomed the top leg of that section of trail. Andrew is well deserving of his Eagle Socut rank.
Signs
The signs have been ordered! It seems like I have been talking about these signs forever. We had to wait until the new fiscal budget was passed to see if the money would be there, and it was. The signs are being built by Wood Product Signs (www.woodproductsigns.com). Yes, this is the same company that makes the signs for the U.S. Forest Service and the National Park Service. The signs will be constructed of recycled plastic. The signs are brown with the 2" letters routed and shown in white. Where the feds usually use a 1" to 1 ½" letters for their trail signs, we are using a 2" letter. Also, the color in which each trail is blazed will appear by the trail name.
The Red Cedar Loop (small) and the Blue Bird Loop (medium) will be signed first. Since the White Oak Loop (large loop) is not completed yet, signs for it have not been ordered.
White Oak Loop
Speaking of the White Oak Loop, I have flagged several sections to be built. I took yesterday off and worked in the park on one of those sections for approximately five hours. This trail, and in particular this section, will showcase some of the best scenery the park has to offer. So where is this section of trail? Good luck finding it. It is well hidden in a secret location, only to be revealed upon completion. To my knowledge, there has never been any trail in this area of the park. Also, I did not start the build from any current trail. I began building in an isolated section of woods. I want the trail to be near completion before it is connected. This way, when it is finally connected, it will be ready for use. I cannot wait for this section to be opened; I'm shooting for October but I will need a lot of help.
Workday
And with "help" in mind, we need another workday. Lets have a workday on August 4th. I need everyone who can make it there to bench trail. This will be our main task. I will also need people with chainsaws there, as we will be working in an area hit hard by the tornado. Everyone bring your Maddox and drink lots of coffee or other preferred energy drink. You will need it. Please bring a friend. Bring two or three. If we can get 20 people there we can have this thing knocked out. Mountain bikers, I'm calling on you to step up. We really need a big showing here. On the positive side, this section of trail is really quite amazing and has a spectacular view of the creek. If I were to compare it to another trail in the area, it is very similar to some sections at LBL's Canal Loop. I look forward to seeing everyone.
Meet in the middle parking lot next to the creek and close to Pavilion II. Look for my red Ford Ranger with topper and bike rack.
Andrew Johnson – Eagle Scout
Andrew Johnson has been planning his Eagle Scout project at Rotary Park for quite sometime. The past two weekends saw that planning spring into action. Approximately twenty Boy Scouts worked feverously to complete a variety of tasks on the Blue Bird Loop across from Pavilion I. The most noticeable of these is the installation of a new bridge connecting Pavilion I to the trailhead across the street. As you all know, the drain running along side the road is shallow but very steep. Andrew used engineering standards provided by the International Mountain Bike Association to design and construct a twelve-foot long bridge making it a synch to cross the drain. The construction is out of this world. Andrew used all treated lumber donated by Home Depot for the footers, stringers, and support beams. The footers were embedded into concrete and the supports and stringers were attached using industrial grade lag bolts, instead of just wood screws. The decking is composite and is sure to withstand the test of time. This bridge sets new standards for construction for all future trail features.
Andrew and his pack also installed a beautiful, rustic, wood-post fence inside the wood-line at this trailhead. The fence separates two sections of the Blue Bird Loop where the trail switches back on itself. This should prevent people from shortcutting the trail and user-made fall-line trails from appearing. Like the bridge, the fence posts are treated and embedded in two feet of concrete. It should withstand the test of time and provide us with years of enjoyment. Andrew and crew also groomed the top leg of that section of trail. Andrew is well deserving of his Eagle Socut rank.
Signs
The signs have been ordered! It seems like I have been talking about these signs forever. We had to wait until the new fiscal budget was passed to see if the money would be there, and it was. The signs are being built by Wood Product Signs (www.woodproductsigns.com). Yes, this is the same company that makes the signs for the U.S. Forest Service and the National Park Service. The signs will be constructed of recycled plastic. The signs are brown with the 2" letters routed and shown in white. Where the feds usually use a 1" to 1 ½" letters for their trail signs, we are using a 2" letter. Also, the color in which each trail is blazed will appear by the trail name.
The Red Cedar Loop (small) and the Blue Bird Loop (medium) will be signed first. Since the White Oak Loop (large loop) is not completed yet, signs for it have not been ordered.
White Oak Loop
Speaking of the White Oak Loop, I have flagged several sections to be built. I took yesterday off and worked in the park on one of those sections for approximately five hours. This trail, and in particular this section, will showcase some of the best scenery the park has to offer. So where is this section of trail? Good luck finding it. It is well hidden in a secret location, only to be revealed upon completion. To my knowledge, there has never been any trail in this area of the park. Also, I did not start the build from any current trail. I began building in an isolated section of woods. I want the trail to be near completion before it is connected. This way, when it is finally connected, it will be ready for use. I cannot wait for this section to be opened; I'm shooting for October but I will need a lot of help.
Workday
And with "help" in mind, we need another workday. Lets have a workday on August 4th. I need everyone who can make it there to bench trail. This will be our main task. I will also need people with chainsaws there, as we will be working in an area hit hard by the tornado. Everyone bring your Maddox and drink lots of coffee or other preferred energy drink. You will need it. Please bring a friend. Bring two or three. If we can get 20 people there we can have this thing knocked out. Mountain bikers, I'm calling on you to step up. We really need a big showing here. On the positive side, this section of trail is really quite amazing and has a spectacular view of the creek. If I were to compare it to another trail in the area, it is very similar to some sections at LBL's Canal Loop. I look forward to seeing everyone.
posted by Rotary Park | 10:05 AM
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