Completed Trail Projects
Completed Trail Projects
In late 2001, we finished construction of a much-needed bridge spanning a wet weather creek on the Lake Ridge Trail, near the dam. Spanning almost 90′ from end to end, it includes over 2000 board feet of treated lumber, almost 200 pounds of galvanized nails, bolts, washers, nuts and joist hangers, 12 utility posts, and 1920 pounds of concrete. All of these materials were hand carried up the forty-foot high dam and almost half a mile back to the construction site. This was quite a feat in itself! The bridge was made possible by a matching grant of $2500 from the Tennessee Parks and Greenways Foundation. Construction volunteers included members of the Northeast Tennessee Mountain Bike Association, Community Service Volunteers, and AMERICORPS / APPALACHIA CARES Volunteers of Northeast Tennessee, in addition to dedicated Friends members. Thanks also went to Bristol Tennessee Electric System for donation of the utility poles, and to Arby’s for donation of food for the hungry workers!
Thanks to another generous grant of almost $2,400 from the Tennessee Parks and Greenways Foundation, in 2003 we installed new signs marking the trails in the Trinkle Hollow area of the park. Eight new signposts have been placed at trailheads and key trail intersections throughout this section of the park. Along with the new signs, the trails in this section of the park were re-blazed, thanks in large part to the help of Boy Scout troop 15, under the direction of Allan Marshall. To make the signs more user-friendly, the colors of the trail names on the signs are consistent with the colors of the trail blazes.
With help from many folks, in 2003 and 2004 we were able to relocate and rebuild the upper section of Fox Ridge Trail, one of our Park’s most scenic trails. Unfortunately, housing development along the Park’s southeastern boundary several years ago obliterated the existing trail near its connection with the Powerline Trail. The remainder of the trail quickly deteriorated due to neglect and a lack of use by walkers. Chris Ctuynn and members of Boy Scout Troop 8 took on the initial work as an Eagle Scout project. The remainder of the project was accomplished over the course of several weekends by city workers and Friends volunteers.
Friends members also contributed significantly to the relocation of several sections of the Lakeridge Trail, one of the most frequently traversed trails across the knobs. Although much of the labor was provided by City workers, Friends volunteers were instrumental in helping to get the job done. More recently, the Tri Cities Mountain Bike Club assisted in upgrading a portion of this trail above the dam near Rooster Front Park.
In the coming years we anticipate many more special projects to improve and maintain the wonderful trail system in the Park. Let us know by e-mail if you would like to be involved in these efforts.
Return to Projects and Activities Page
