Our trail work crew from Northwest Trails, Inc. was out there in the thick of it today led by Gerry Wilbour, this first day of November 2017. See photos below.
We also have an update from our wetland biologist, Perry Welch:
“As of October 31, 2017, approximately half of the mitigation has been installed. This includes vegetation plantings, protection, and on-going maintenance. Mitigation plantings have been installed in the wetland meadow and in portions of the wetland meadow buffer. A total of 140 plants have been installed to-date.
The remaining mitigation is scheduled to be installed in November and December of 2017. Once the trail construction is fully completed, the mitigation on the abandoned muddy trail and buffer will be implemented. The construction aspect of the project is nearly complete. The trail subgrade has been prepared and trail materials have been installed. Remaining is the installation of the 40 foot boardwalk, which will require diamond pile pier driving. This work is scheduled starting today as the boardwalk structure has been assembled and powder coated off-site.” ~ Perry Welch, Welch Ecological Services.
This morning’s work crew was in the trenches as the seasonal faucet was opened up wide to start the day. These guys know what to do and it was satisfying to see them in action. This is Gerry. He is a master. We are all indebted to him for his care and dedication to this project. `
Rowan gets the site prepped while the anxious diamond pier sits waiting to be placed.
We’re putting in a boardwalk, by golly! The 40′ span of the boardwalk will cross the most crucial piece of the wetland. Below, Gerry and Rowan measure the span to set the four corners in place.
One corner at a time. Gerry is digging out a hole to put the diamond pier on solid footing. Rowan and Dan are essentially in camo trying to simply keep dry.
Taking a look at the south end of the boardwalk where the transition will be from boardwalk to path.
To get a sense of the durability of this boardwalk, take a gander at the steel I-beams that we just got back from the powder coaters! These are the strength to our success.
This was an exciting day that we have long anticipated!
BTW – Please…Save the dates for our upcoming work parties to finish the trail and continue to plant our native plants in our mitigation site in the abandoned trail corridor.
Sunday, November 12th – 10:00am – 1:00pm
Sunday, November 19th – 10:00am – 1:00pm
Sunday, December 3rd – 2:00 – 4:00pm
Sunday, December 10th – 2:00 – 4:00pm
Please RSVP for our work parties so we can send you specific details.
Join us at Stones Throw afterwards to toast your great work
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Todd Elsworth is one of the many “Mossy-haired lunatics roaming the dripping peninsulas”, described in “I’m Here for the Weather” by Tom Robbins. As executive director, he works to fulfill our mission to teach the health benefits of nature, promote outdoor recreation, and steward the places where we play.
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