August 2022 Minutes

Minutes from Regular Quarterly Meeting on August 1, 2022

Big Canoe Trails Committee

Minutes by S. Johnson

Mtg took place in person outdoors at the Wildcat Pavilion; Commenced at 4:00 p.m.; ended at 5:00.

Members in attendance = 29

NEXT MEETING is November 7, 2022 @ 4:00.  - Venue : Wildcat Pavilion

FYI: Meetings are scheduled for the 1st Monday of 2nd month of each quarter

(i.e. first Monday of Feb/May/Aug/Nov)

NEXT WORK DAY:  tbd

NEWS:

  1. Importance of Trail Committee: The 25-mile trail system in Big Canoe continues to be the #1 amenity in Big Canoe. BCTC responsibilities have expanded over the years: there are more trails; usage is heavier due to more residents; and Big Canoe maintenance staff is less available for trail work. The BCTC skill set has also expanded to include members able to operate heavy machinery, do construction work, wood working and welding. Examples of work now handled by BCTC members includes trail signage fabrication and repairs of walking bridges and steps.

  2. Lydell Mack (Director of Operations for Big Canoe)

    • Lydell complimented the BCTC and mentioned that the Big Canoe trail system would have been lost without all the work performed by BCTC members. Years ago, the trails were maintained by BC Public Works, but it is no longer available for regular trail maintenance due to the increasing number of BC facilities it must maintain. With the BCTC involved, Public Works no longer has to worry about the trails.

    • Lydell emphasized that Public Works wants to support the BCTC where it can; it would like to be kept informed of issues and plans.

    • Lydell presented BCTC with gifts of some safety gear from Big Canoe (goggles; ear protection, chaps). He also mentioned that wasp spray can be obtained from Matthew Parks.

    • Lydell mentioned that, due to disputes with unrelated third parties, the POA no longer allows Big Canoe equipment to be lent out, so BC tools are no longer available for use by BCTC members.

  3. New Members:

    • Alan Moffatt

    • Fred Koehl

Welcome!

BCTC ACCOMPLISHMENTS ON THE TRAILS

  1. Time logged to date: As of August 1, BCTC members have logged a total of 1240 hours (and 35 minutes!).

  2. Walkway beneath the Covered Bridge was repaired. A section of angle iron was anchored to the concrete wall to better support the walkway, and the rotting boards were replaced.

  3. Rotted footbridge at Choctaw was replaced (approx. 12 feet long).

  4. Water wheel on the Jeep Trail was repaired (new hose with appropriate elevation; screen to prevent clogging).

  5. Pontoon Bridge at Lake Disharoon was repositioned and re-anchored after being dislodged when the lake was drained.

  6. Erosion on Nancy Womack above Ponder Point was fixed.

  7. New picnic table at Indian Rocks Park was constructed and installed.

ONGOING WORK & PROGRAMS

  1. The weekly “Fitness Friday” program has been ongoing for 8 weeks; 97.8 hours have been logged by BCTC participants. Weekly emails are sent out, inviting members to participate in a Friday morning work project which varies each week. 9:00 meet time.

UPCOMING / NEEDED PROJECTS

  1. Replace old timber steps at Lower Falls trail at Wilderness Pkwy

  2. Replace/fix steps at Yellow Root access trail.

  3. Plant the recovered daffodil bulbs

TOOLS & EQUIPMENT

  1. Gifts from Jeff Moreau (presented by Ken Bechely): Insect repellent; and Miracle Mist to spray on steps and bridges to remove algae. Members helped themselves after the meeting.

  2. Lydell Mack presented gifts of safety gear from BC (see NEWS #2 above).

  3. Liz mentioned she will be seeking volunteers to help install a prefabricated tool shed/closet in the BCTC area in the Borrow Pit.

PRESENTATION: Show and Tell of Safety Gear by Doug Hanley:

  1. Reminder to wear long pants, footwear that protects your toes, and safety goggles;

  2. Bite & Sting Kit – recommended when on the trail.

  3. Can treat your clothing with Permethrin to keep bugs away

  4. Wet-n-Forget to treat steps and bridges to make them less slippery.

ALERT!  Lydell Mack reminded BCTC to confirm a treatment spray is environmentally safe before spraying near ponds or streams. For example, he pointed out the Wet-n-Forget treatment must be kept at least 100 feet away from streams, ponds, creeks, etc.

COMMENTS FROM BCTC MEMBER TERRY STEWART: POA Candidate

Terry is one of 5 candidates running to fill one of two open positions on the Big Canoe POA Board, and he explained the upcoming “primary” election for POA Board members and encouraged everyone to vote.

REMINDERS

  1. Keep your trail brochure holders filled

  2. Dams and stone stacks in streams should be removed

  3. Cut back vegetation; keep your trail users in mind (e.g. can they get smacked by that tree branch? Or should it be cut back?)

  4. Spray for poison ivy

  5. Wasp spray is available

  6. Log your time using the online reporting system at bctrails.info OR email your time to Liz at trails@bctrails.info

Stacy Johnson