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.

Wednesday, January 02, 2008

Next Workday/Update

Dear Friends:

I just wanted to give everyone an update as to what is going on at the park.

Next Workday
Saturday, January 19th will be our next workday. We will meet at the lower parking lot near the Pavilion II trailhead at 8:00 a.m. We will divide up into three groups. One group will focus on clearing the trail (cutting small brush and weeds that are growing in the trail). Another group will focus on benching the trail while another group will focus on constructing some erosion control devises (i.e. rolling grade dips, kicks, etc.). As discussed below, we may work on installing signposts. Aside from flagging the trail at the amphitheater for the grant proposal, I will not be laying out any new trail until the existing trail is complete and in tiptop shape. I don't want us to build so fast that we neglect to include the features necessary to make the trail sustainable and enjoyable.

Things needed for the workday: bring water, gloves, a Maddox, shears, a hoe, and/or any weed removing devise. If anyone has a power trimmer with a small brush attachment, that would work best.

Boy Scouts
Some of you have already noticed the new bridge behind Pavilion I. The bridge crosses a 20 ft. wide drain on the Red Cedar Loop. The bridge was built by Boy Scout Michael Cox as his Eagle Scout project. Like other newly built bridges, this bridge was built to engineering standards proposed by IMBA but with some additional improvements. The footers for the bridge are formed concrete. The treated lumber supports and stringers are all bolted to the footers using galvanized lag bolts. Also, it is decked in a composite decking surface so it should last for a very long time. The treated lumber on the ends was painted in tar prior to the bridge being backfilled to add additional protection from the elements. Also, an additional stringer above the number recommended runs the length of the bridge. The bridge is absolutely top of the line and should last for very, very long time. Thanks to Michael and crew as well as his father, Ted, and Kurt Kowalski for this wonderful bridge.

Also, Kurt, Glen, Josh, and I met with another Boy Scout seeking an Eagle Scout project. We discussed three potential projects and are currently waiting on the Scout's proposal to present to the county. It is important to note that the increase in Scouts seeking projects within the park is a direct result of Kurt's involvement with the Scouts and Friends of Rotary Park. Thanks, Kurt, for spreading the word.

White Oak Loop
As I have previously discussed, a new section of the White Oak Loop has been opened. This section is part of the perimeter trail and connects two previously existing point-to-point trails. Kurt, Glen, Josh, and I began benching the new section on New Year's Eve. Those guys did some awesome work and got a lot done. There is still a substantial amount of clearing and grooming that needs to take place on this trail, however, especially through the TVA easement. Feel free to take a pair of shears to the park one day and work on this. The more people that pitch in, the sooner the trail will be completed.

Amphitheater
I have flagged one of the trails to the amphitheater. I will complete the flagging of the loop soon. We are waiting on the grant process before beginning work on this section as this trail is tied directly to that grant, which should fund the trail's bridges.

Signs
We still have additional signs to install. We may work on this at the next workday depending on ground temperatures and whether or not the auger is available. I have also ordered new "No Horses" signs. These will be installed in four locations upon arrival. The signposts are already installed.

I appreciate all the help and support I have had lately. As we worked on Monday and with 2008 less than 24 hours away, we stopped to reflect on all the work we have done in the last 2 to 3 years. The park has come a very long way since the tornado. Once again, people are starting to travel from all around to visit the park. I strongly believe that 2008 will see even more improvements and the spirit of volunteerism will grow.

Chris

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