Last
week, Emma and I worked with the Lake Metroparks to help build a trail as
well as help out on any other projects they were doing. When we first started, we showed up at the warehouse where we were instructed to meet everyone. Wearing our work boots and colorful raincoats, we tromped
inside to meet the crew. I couldn't help but laugh as I saw how out
of place we were. I have to admit that I felt a little silly being the smallest people by far. We were definitely not the muscular men surrounding us. This initially made me question whether or not we could actually be of any help. From this experience, I got the feeling that being a girl automatically puts you slightly out of place. It was very clear that
women are not part of the crew, probably because they are generally
not able to do a lot of the work if it involves much physical strength.
Anyway,
let's get back to the part where Emma and I are in the warehouse
staring back at the intimidating crew that soon will become our friends. We are finally sent off in a vehicle to our
first work site, where we are to help build a trail down to a
campsite.
First, we layed down fabric along the 6ft wide trail.
After
that, they began laying down gravel on top. While we couldn't operate
any machinery, we did make ourselves useful by raking it out.
After
two days, the trail was almost complete. The final steps were to
first build a couple of water bars, and then to use a tamping machine
to compress and smooth out the gravel. Emma and I both tried using
the tamper, but we found it a tad more difficult to move and control
than we had expected.
 |
| Building waterbars to reduce erosion from surface water |
By the end, I feel like we became much more aware of how much time and effort it takes to create trails as well as make them sustainable so that they will be maintainable in the future.
Here's a look at the finished trail and the campsite that it leads to:
We also planted some Canadian Hemlocks to improve the aesthetics at the Chapin Forest Reservation in Kirtland.
Sarah! I hope everything's going great out in the woods where you are!! I heard Mr. D. came to visit you last week, and he told me the funny story of how he felt so out of place too. You and Emma were both in your working clothes, all ready for the mud, and he simply just brought boots with him, which of course was not enough. He said he left covered in mud up to his knees!!!
ReplyDeleteHow long of a day do you guys have? I heard you guys went on two different trips, one was shorter than the other--but how long do you have to work on the trails each day. I bet it's exhausting sometimes. But it's such a great thing to do and it sounds fun being outside all day!
I'm sure you and Emma have shown that women can be as useful and productive as men on the trails! It looks like you guys accomplished a lot in the past week. The pictures look awesome-I'd love to see the different stages of building the trail.
Do you guys have another trip before project ends? Do you have any other projects besides building trails?
~Clare