Trail Masters building 2 new bridges at state park
Published 1:49 am Saturday, February 7, 2015
Walking along the water’s edge on the island at Frank Jackson State Park just got a lot easier, thanks to efforts by the Trail Masters.
The organization completed a bridge on the island on Feb. 2, and has plans to begin construction on the second foot bridge on the island within the next 30 days.
The bridges will complete the Honeysuckle Trail, and will allow visitors to walk the entire perimeter of the inland with a view of the water all along the path.
“The Honeysuckle Trail goes all around the island,” said Trail Master’s President Charles Willis. “There are two places that get really wet and we are building 20 feet, foot bridges to help this.”
Willis said most of the supplies were purchased by the state.
“The materials were left over from the new primitive campground and another bridge,” he said. “We purchased a few supplies to supplement that.”
Like with the other many projects the Trail Masters have completed at the state park, they donated all the labor for it.
Additionally, the group recently replaced all the old boards on the bridge connecting the park to the island.
The bridge features a fishing area mid-way to the island that is a favorite spot for many local fishermen and women and children.
“We do a lot for the park,” Willis said. “Right now we are doing maintenance and then we will begin the next bridge.”
The group was organized in 2003 as a service organization dedicated to the preservation of the park’s many species of trees, shrubs and wildlife.
The organization also sponsors the annual Scarecrows in the Park event each fall.
Anyone interested in joining or helping the Trail Masters may call Willis at 493-2621.