Fire Hydrant Trail gets improvements

Two truck loads of mulch destined for the Fire Hydrant trail.

Did you know there is a trail that leads from the Big Canoe Animal Rescue to Wilderness Parkway? The trail was originally cut in 2008 by The Trails Committee allowing BCAR volunteers a walking trail behind the shelter avoiding vehicle traffic. The BCAR volunteers walk the dogs, Monday through Friday mornings. The trail was expanded in October 2019 to .64 mile led by Eagle Scout Will Dodson which helped earn his merit badge. Over the years, the trail has become challenging for the volunteers to walk due to uneven ground and gnarly tree roots. That’s where the Trails Committee stepped up to help. The Big Canoe Maintaince staff delivered two large truck loads of mulch. Over two consecutive Fridays in October, the Trails Committee plus BCAR volunteers helped to distribute the mulch. In addition, logs were cut to line the trail, gravel was put over the worst of the roots and foliage was trimmed back. It was back breaking work with a lot of sweat equity. Several of the BCAR volunteers have commented on how much nicer the trail is to walk on. The name of the BCAR trail is officially called The Fire Hydrant Trail. There is a silver painted hydrant to mark the start of the trail.

One interesting bit of trivia is the Trails Committee originally called the trail the Dog Poop Trail although this name did not stick.

The last of the mulch pile, after 31.5 total labor hours.