Trailmasters replace benches in park

Published 1:16 am Wednesday, March 15, 2017

The Frank Jackson Trail Masters recently worked to replace deteriorated wooden benches along the walking trail at Opp’s state park.

“The club decided the unsafe benches should be replaced with more durable, all aluminum benches,” said Marvin McCollough of the Trail Masters. “Funds for this project were provided by the Trail Masters organization.”

McCollough said that Don Jones is camping at Frank Jackson and expressed interest in helping with the project.

The Trail Masters had two work sessions to complete the benches.

It took some seven hours for completion total, with three hours to assemble the benches and four hours to install them on the trails.

He and wife, Linda, are from Mitchell, Ontario, and have been visitors at the park for several years.

The Trail Masters have been instrumental over the years in keeping the state park flourishing and were recognized two years ago by the Alabama State Parks for the unique partnership with Frank Jackson State Park.

The organization has been involved fore the last 14 years using the park as an outlet for community service.

The Trail Masters are constantly working to make the park better with projects ranging from building walking trails, to bridges, to helping draw people to the park with their Scarecrows in the Park event. The also built a playground on the grounds, and played an integral role in getting primitive campsites set up as well.