Eagle Scout Project
Minooka Park Trail
Restoration
2010 - 2011
The Problem
A walking trail in
Waukesha County’s Minooka Park had become unsafe to walk. Being a
sloped trail in a shady area, grass growth was nonexistent and
with nothing to hold the soil together, erosion followed exposing
many tree roots, causing trip hazards for hikers and runners.
Furthermore, because it runs at an incline, it became slippery mud
when wet.
The Solution
In the fall of 2009 a
new section of trail was made, running through a section of woods
with little incline and concern for future erosion issues.
The
Restoration
The former trail had
several issues to address. 1) The roughly 300 foot trail ran down
a hill and heavily eroded, developing the need for erosion
barriers (logs) installed for short term erosion prevention. 2)
The trail received new top soil, grass seed and some 100 newly
purchased plants. Additionally 170 trees, shrubs, and large grass
plugs were transplanted from adjacent areas for long term erosion
prevention. 3) Both ends of the former trail received natural log
fences to direct people around the former trail and to the new
trail.
The Future
After about 3 years of
plant growth, it is anticipated that the planted trees, shrubs and
grass will bring the former trail back to a natural wooded state.
Success
Through generous
donations of family and friends, hundreds of dollars have been
raised to pay for the project. Additionally, the hundreds of hours
of volunteer time have made a valuable improvement within the
local park system.
Thank
you to all, for your generosity of Time and Treasure.
 
|
