MAJOR CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS
1) Trail Segment #3 North Boardwalks. A series of boardwalk projects combined with trail clearing will be required to open trail segment #3 North. Projects will typically consist of 2x6 decking laid on 6x6 sleepers. They will start at Andrew Apostolopoulos' boardwalk and be constructed to the east. This area contains large sections of wetlands. The eastern end of the trail segment will also involve boardwalks, but these will be given a lower priority than those in the west. A NJDEP permit was issued for this work.
THIS PROJECT MUST BE SPLIT AS FOLLOWS: (Numbered from West to East)
FIRST though SIXTH SECTIONS COMPLETED BY RAVI RAJU & JOHN MERGOTT (Both of Troop 154),Tom Lahey(Troop 46), VICTOR ROY, CARTER ROEHL, and GUS GATTO (all of Troop 154)SEVENTH SECTION and trail marking AVAILABLE NOW EIGHTH through NINTH SECTIONS are in the middle section of the loop and exact locations must be determined. AVAILABLE WHEN NJIT BRIDGE & SCOTT SCLIFERSTEIN'S BRIDGES ARE COMPLETE
TENTH SECTION (68' + a 20' Bridge) ASSIGNED TO SCOTT SHLIFERSTEIN,
Troop 154,
2) NJIT Bridge, 40 Foot Bridge. This project consists of a bridge over the West Branch of the Middle Brook west the point where stream divides into a large bow and a smaller straight channel near Patrick Nametz's bridges. The bridge will have approximately a forty-foot span. Access will be very difficult to this site as it is well away from any access point and access by vehicles is impractical. The design of the bridge must reflect the need to hand carry materials to the site. This bridge should prove very challenging for design and construction. We recommend that any group choosing this bridge be skilled at carpentry. A NJDEP permit was issued for this work. NJIT students have constructed the abutments. Design and abutments were completed by NJIT as a senior design project for the Spring semester 2003. We will be looking for a contractor to build the bridge. ONCE THE BRIDGE IS BUILT WE WILL HAVE A SCOUT BUILD THE RAMPS.
3) Augmentation of Proposed Trails Segments #1, #2 & #3 North & South. Located between Argonne Farm and Tom Vitales' bridge. This project is to complete items not included in the earlier projects. Plantings may be needed where there is little buffer between the trail and homes. Fence may also be required in several areas where the trail is close to the edge of township owned property. Additional trail markings and project name signs will be needed. A new trail connection will be required to Washington Valley Road through land recently acquired by the Township, mostly in field but partly through brush. Build and install bluebird boxes in the field. ASSIGNED TO BRIAN CHESBORO
4) Fences. There are some areas where the trail is close to private property and fence should be provided to define the limit of the public land. In other areas fence may be required to protect wetlands, or other sensitive, or hazardous areas. In some cases the scout clearing or augmenting the trail will install this fence. However there are areas where the amount of fence required exceeds the amount that can be incorporated into another project. In these areas the fence will become part of a separate fence project. In general the fence will consist of split rail fence with two or three rails. Plantings and posting of signs along the fence may also be required. Areas for fence have not been fully determined but will include runs between Plymouth and Hardy (along park boundary). The fences required between the existing boardwalk near Hardy Drive and Alliance Bridge will be difficult to reach prior to the opening of Trail Segment #3 North.
AVAILABLE NOW
5) Weather Sealing. The bridges and boardwalks should be protected from the weather every few years with a good grade of latex sealer (CWF UV Clear Sealer or equal). This was last done in the spring of 1998. This work is best done in the spring or early summer as the sealer is often on sale during that time. The sealer will be applied using brushes and rollers; sprayers will not be used to reduce waste and to prevent overspray into the brooks. Due to the number of new projects completed since 1998 this project will be divided into phases.
AVAILABLE NOW (BSA LEADERSHIP WILL NOT APPROVE THIS AS AN EAGLE PROJECT because they feel it is repetitious and maintenance oriented and therefore but, it is available to other groups)
Area between Crim & Mount Vernon ASSIGNED TO AMY JENNE
Other areas available
6) Trail Clean Up. There are two locations where cars and tires have been dumped along the trail: east of Chris Naverette's bridge and near the easterly end of Ravi Raju's boardwalk. There are also: two old metal tractor wheels located away from the trail (#3 North) between Hardy Drive and Plymouth, and metal boxes near Tullo Farm. The scouts can remove the tires and much of the metal, but the largest pieces of metal may need to be removed, or cut up into manageable pieces, by professionals. The tractor wheels should be moved near one of the entry trails, painted, and set to act as bollards. Moving these wheels will be much easier after the 40-foot bridge is completed in 2003. The project would consist of: removing the tires and metal, painting & setting the tractor wheels, and raising funds to remove the old cars.
ASSIGNED TO BRENDAN WHITE, TROOP 489
7) Pond Clean Up and Benches. Peeper Pond and Chen's Pond have Christmas trees and other things dumped into them by people. Both of these ponds are vernal pools that are suited to amphibians, most visibly frogs. This project consists of removing all materials dumped into the ponds by people and possibly some fallen trees. Work must be done during either August or early September to avoid disrupting amphibian eggs. Care must be used for safety, a large snake was seen sunning on a piece of plywood at Chen's Pond, and to avoid any unnecessary disturbance to vegetation around the ponds. Some type of grapple should be used to avoid walking into the ponds. Credit for this projects' concept goes to Mr. Peabody, a Leader with
Troop 84.
The benches part of the project will consist of building a bench at the edge of the trail overlooking the two ponds being cleaned and Sean's Pond, and other locations along the trail in general. The other locations will be scattered along the Township portions of the trail in non-wetland areas where they can be used to: rest, stretch, or enjoy the scenery. The benches will be based on the design first used by Sam Khetan near Gold Meadow.
ASSIGNED TO ERIC BODGE, Troop 154
8) Removal of Non-native Invasive Plant Species. This project consists of the physical removal of non-native invasive plant species, such as purple loosestrife, barberry and multiflora rose, along the trail. Scouts will need to be trained to identify the target species and how to remove it. The width of the area from which the plants will be removed will vary according to the number of plants and their species. The plants will need to be completely removed, including the roots, to prevent them from regrowing. The removed material will need to be brought to collection points where the Parks Department can pick it up for disposal. The holes where the plants were removed will need to be filled. The multiflora is the most common and can be found wherever there is sufficient sun. The loosestrife can be found in the Gateshead detention basin and presents the best opportunity to remove and invasive before it spreads as the multiflora has already done. The barberry is the least aggressive and is the most practical to remove. There is also one russian olive trees near Running Brook.
SEVERAL PROJECTS WORTH AVAILABLE NOW
9A)Collection of Medium Size Construction Projects. Installation of a gate, wheel stops and a bridge near Tullo Road.
ASSIGNED TO CASEY COLGAN
9B)Collection of Medium Size Construction Projects. The design and installation of a sundial & flying disk golf course signs at Chimney Rock Park.
ASSIGNED TO JAMES FABREGAS, Troop 154
9C)Collection of Medium Size Construction Projects. A combination of medium size projects selected by the volunteer. It is recommended that the projects selected have some connection (similar type of work or location) to tie them together and that the construction time be at least three full days.
AVAILABLE NOW
10)Gravel Rough Areas of Trail. This project consists of spreading gravel at a number of areas between Argonne Farm Drive and Dan's Bridge east of Tullo Road. They include the ends of boardwalks and bridge ramps, low areas, and areas where roots present tripping hazards.
AREA near Mount Vernon Road COMPLETED BY CHRIS O'BRIEN TROOP 84 (15T), AREA between Steve's Walk & Dan's Bridge COMPLETED by MICHAEL LUKENHOUSE Troop 88 (20 T), Area between John's Bridge and Pete's Small Bridge (30 T) COMPLETED by GIANCARLO FRICANO Troop 88 Area near Running Brook is ASSIGNED TO DAVID ANDERSON
11)Middle Brook Trail Skyway. This project consists of removing one ramp from John's Bridge and one ramp from Kenny's Bridge, and then connecting them with a raised boardwalk with handrails. The boardwalk will be about knee high above the ground and be supported with posts. The site is located to the east from Mount Vernon Road.
ASSIGNED TO MIKE KITLAS, Troop 150
Continue to Medium Construction Projects