$50K elevated bridge project gets funding
Published 12:00 am Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Campers at Frank Jackson State Park in Opp will soon have a more accessible and safe stay, thanks to a nearly $50,000 commitment from the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.
Speaker of the House Seth Hammett and Sen. Jimmy Holley were instrumental in helping the Trailmasters received the funding to construct a elevated bridge from the camping area of the state park to the playground and picnic area, which is expected to cost about $48,600.
Trailmasters president Kenneth Short said this project will provide “accessibility and safety to the park.”
“This will have those who service the area, they won’t have to go around,” he said. “It will be a lot safer for the kids accessing the play area from the campground.”
“This is a beautiful park and we are excited to kick this project off,” said ADCNR assistant commissioner Hobbie Sealey.
Hammett commended the Trailmasters for their work on the park.
The group, which organized about seven years ago has been instrumental in constructing all of the trails.
“It’s a pleasure to work with these Trailmasters,” he said. “Without any question they are they most outstanding in the state.”
Hammett said Frank Jackson State Park was the only park in the state that has TV cable hookups at each of the 32 RV camping sites.
Short said the project is a group effort between the group, Hammett, Holley and many others within the community.
Short said the Trailmasters donated about 4,000 hours to the park last year and have about 75 members.
Their newest portion of the four miles of walking trails is handicap-accessible, he said.
The project is expected to begin in the next two weeks and should take about 30 days to complete.