2020: What a year it’s been!
Trails Committee members were hard at work in 2020.
The Trails Committee is a group of 40+ volunteers, dedicated to Big Canoe’s favorite amenity. We’ve been quite busy last year fulfilling our duties to maintain, improve and create the trails.
Maintenance was a big part of the effort in 2020 due to all the storms; with the garden-variety storms after which the trails were covered in debris, twigs, branches and the occasional downed tree. Many of the storms were strong, including being in the path of hurricane Zeta, which was a doozy. There were lots of downed trees! Members and their chainsaws had quite a workout. Some sections of trail had to be rebuilt due to root balls tearing them up.
Even though we had more than the usual amount of unplanned maintenance, we still managed to continue with our regular maintenance performing trail inspections. Each trail is assigned one or more overseers who walk it regularly, to trim back encroaching vegetation, stabilize steps, remove obstacles and determine whether fixes need to be made, such as erosion control or improved footing. Over time, trails get worn, or the cribbing (log or stone walls that support the trail) needs replacing or repositioning. If it’s too much work for them, a work party is organized to get the job done.
Examples of the field work we performed last year are:
Applied anti-slip material on bridges and stairs that were slippery
Built up dry footing on boggy areas or installed bog bridges
Added erosion control in many sections
Installed steps on steep areas
Re-built worn portions of trail
Cleared downed trees; cleaned up dead branches to improve esthetics
Installed new signs in Indian Rocks Park and the bottom section of Nature Valley.
Updated blazes to metal.
We also provide information and services to promote the parks and trails system
Published several updates to the Trails Brochure - These are very popular, as over 10,000 were printed and distributed last year. You can also download a PDF of this document from our newly launched bigcanoetrails.com site. This site contains a trove of information regarding each of our parks and has recommended hikes.
All of the trails were completely remeasured with GPS to ensure accuracy of the maps and the posted distances. All maps on the brochure were updated and several new kiosk posters printed and hung. New brochure holders were installed with QR codes posted so visitors can download them from the new site as well.
Reflecting the popularity and support for this amenity, we received cash donations of close to $600 plus tool donations. These donations help offset the cost of materials and specialized equipment.
Between the influx of new residents, and long-time residents joining, we gained 8 new members.
We are pleased that team member efforts were recognized by the community, with the well deserved honor of Joe Tiption receiving the President’s Award for his awesome work at High Gap Park, AKA - Joe’s Trails.
Further team recognition was the posthumous naming of Mike Davis Trail at Waterford, named after him for his many years of dedication. His widow now is the overseer for this trail.
Waterford Park is now the Ken & Billie Ann Rice Park in their honor for developing it and for the invaluable contributions to the community.
Overall, committee members contributed a good 2,000 man-hours of effort in 2020 to keep the Big Canoe trails in good shape, in addition to some 600 hrs spent to document and inform the community about this marvelous amenity.
Joe Tipton receives the 2020 President’s Award
Workday while social distancing. Photo by Steve Papke
Upper Falls Trail steps -Photo by Clardy Schwarz