Crow’s Nest: New boardwalks!
By Daniel Barringer, Preserve Manager.
We are thrilled to report that the youth group from Pottstown Presbyterian Church returned again this summer and built us more boardwalks along some of our rougher, muddier trails. The project benefits us in two ways: it improves the visitor experience and it protects the nearby plants and soils from trampling and compaction.
On the far end of our Hopewell Trail, the group extended the boardwalk another 40 feet to deposit hikers onto drier ground. They also had the opportunity to hike the four sections of boardwalk they had built last year, all of which still are in perfect condition.
Still on the purple-marked Hopewell Trail, but much closer to its start near the Chief’s Grove, the group built another ~130 feet of boardwalk through a section that has consistently remained muddy.
I love how the planks curve gracefully through the woods. Many thanks are in order on this project: to the youth group at Pottstown Presbyterian who got so muddy and endured the heat and shared their time and expertise and good humor. Thanks to the Church leadership for organizing the event and approaching us as a partner, and to our Land Stewardship staff Cody Hudgens and Lindsey Laban for logistics and leadership. Also to our Building Stewardship staff, Steve Holmburg and Luke DiBerardinis, who procured the oak planks for us when our initial vendor fell through, and to Lapp Lumber for milling the wood on short notice. We hope you enjoy these boardwalks!