Volunteers rock

By Daniel Barringer, Preserve Manager.

Photo: Cody Hudgens

We had a great group of volunteers join us this morning for a brisk workday spreading two tons of gravel on the Creek Trail tread surface. As its name suggests, the trail runs alongside French Creek and is subject to occasional flooding and can be seasonally muddy. At the time of year when you know you need to spread gravel to firm it up, it’s too muddy to get in there. We plan ahead and refresh the surface stone when the ground is dry, or as is the case now, frozen. Even so, we can’t get equipment down the third of a mile trail, so most has to be done by hand—or many hands. Several people joined us today from Charles River Laboratories for their workplace day of service—thank you all!

Photo: Daniel Barringer

We filled buckets and carried them from either end of the trail to the center, spreading it carefully where it was needed most. As people walk on it the stone will pack tight and resist erosion. Even when wet or flooded the trail surface offers traction superior to the surrounding landscape, so putting down the stone keeps people from leaving the trail and trampling wildflowers alongside.

Photo: Daniel Barringer

As we finished spreading gravel we also cut some invasive vines along the edges of the trail. We hope you enjoy the results of these efforts!