UIG Volunteers Rebuild Fire Hydrant Trail Bridge, Benefiting Big Canoe Trails and BCAR
The UIG volunteers: (L-R) Dane Duncan, Patrick Haddad, Larry Welch
Last Friday, three employees from Utilities Inc. of Georgia (UIG) went above and beyond their professional duties to volunteer their time and expertise for the Big Canoe Trails Committee (BCTC). Their mission? To rebuild a rotting bridge on the Fire Hydrant Trail, a pathway used by volunteers walking dogs for Big Canoe Animal Rescue (BCAR). The project, completed in the early hours of the morning, exemplifies the spirit of community collaboration and generosity.
The initiative began a week earlier when UIG reached out to me, Liz Scherer, co-chair of the Trails Committee, with an offer to donate three hours of their employees' time to assist the BCTC. The timing couldn’t have been better; the bridge had been on the committee’s to-do list for some time, but carpentry is not our strong suit.
UIG’s involvement was not their first contribution to Big Canoe's trails. Earlier in the year, they provided labor and expertise to address drainage issues and rebuild the Cabin Loop Trail, showcasing their commitment to supporting the community.
Planning and Preparation
With a holiday on Monday, I quickly organized a site visit with Larry Welch, one of the UIG volunteers, to assess the bridge. Larry identified that only the stringers—the horizontal support beams—needed replacing, sparing the top boards and railing. When I asked how many additional hands he’d need, Larry assured me that he and his teammate could handle the job with ease. He provided a materials list, which I forwarded to the Property Owners Association (POA).
Despite the tight timeline, the POA Maintenance Department pulled through, delivering the necessary materials by Thursday morning. That afternoon, BCTC member Joe Cano, who also volunteers with BCAR, cleared the trail of leaves and helped carry materials to the bridge site.
The state of the bridge can clearly be seen by flashlight in the early dawn.
A Pre-Dawn Effort
The work was scheduled for 6:30 a.m. on Friday to accommodate the volunteers’ schedules—one wrapping up a night shift and another starting a day shift. To my surprise and delight, three UIG employees arrived: Larry Welch, Patrick Haddad, and Dane Duncan, all armed with tools and flashlights. Dane, notably, had also participated in the Cabin Loop Trail work earlier in the year.
Working in the dark, the team dismantled the bridge, flipping it on its side to replace the 14-foot, pressure-treated 2x8 stringers. They used battery-operated power tools, ensuring efficiency and precision. Once one side was complete, they flipped the bridge again to address the remaining stringers. Finally, they reattached the railing and stabilized the bridge with cap blocks.
Some of the hardware that held the bridge together needed to be cut off before proceeding. Larry Welch is operating the cutting tool, with the sparks still visible in the early light. Dane Duncan at the other end preparing a replacement board, and Patrick Haddad on the right looking on..
Community Impact
This project highlights the power of partnership. What seemed like a daunting task for the BCTC was easily accomplished by UIG’s skilled team. Their expertise in carpentry ensured the bridge was not only repaired but also reinforced for longevity.
While Patrick holds the bridge steady (right), Larry and Dane (standing in the stream), install the middle streamers.
BCAR volunteers and their dogs now have a safe, secure bridge to cross, and the Trails Committee can shift focus back to our primary mission of building and maintaining trails. We are immensely grateful to UIG for their generosity and skill. Special thanks to UIG’s team leader, Ashley Wedeles, for coordinating this effort, and to Larry, Patrick, and Dane for their hard work and dedication.
Their efforts have left a lasting impact on the Fire Hydrant Trail and the community it serves. The next time you walk this trail, take a moment to appreciate the craftsmanship of UIG’s volunteers—a bridge built not just with tools, but with heart.