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No More Muddy Paws on the Big Ravine's East Rim!

10/31/2021

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Daisy tried the improved trail areas and remarked how happy she was that her paws stayed dry!
On October 15th, BATS volunteers gathered on the East Rim Trail for a last hurrah for the 2021 trail-building season. They celebrated with big equipment, shovels and rakes, and 20 cubic yards of gravel—paid for with a grant from the Wisconsin Coastal Management Program. The project had lots of moving parts as tractors, UTVs and ATVs shuttled gravel from the Meyers-Olson Road parking lot, and crews raked it onto sections of the trail that get very muddy in late winter and early spring. They also moved boardwalk materials to two locations along the trail, anticipating that some areas might need further improvement; that will be determined during next year’s snowmelt.
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Map showing areas where work was completed.
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Phil Peterson operating one of the tractors.
​Those who assisted with equipment included Drew Froeliger and Phil Peterson on tractors loading gravel, Phil Bratsch driving an UTV with a dump box, Chuck Finn on his tractor with a custom-designed gravel hauler, Jim Moeller with an ATV and dump trailer, and Steve Vizanko driving an UTV with a dump box on loan from Ashwabay. Those who worked with shovels and rakes included Bill Bland, John Ipsen, Kate Kitchell, Gene Lemmenes, Beth Lowthian, Ted May, Sheree Peterson, and Janel Ryan.
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Big Ravine East Rim Trail
​Trails volunteer Gene Lemmenes said, “It was quite an impressive effort, especially in terms of the donated equipment and the timeliness of completing the project. We had planned for a full workday, but the crew was so efficient that we were done by 1:00 p.m.” Corgi owner Bill Bland added, “I think our dog friends, and their owners, will be very happy with these improvements next spring: no muddy paws and no muddy bellies!”
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Renovations to the Brownstone Trail Make It Safer for Everyone!

10/22/2021

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Before & After - Blue Wing Bay Stairs - Brownstone Trail
The section of the Brownstone Trail south of Blue Wing Bay Road is easier travel now, thanks to a Bayfield County Health Department grant to the Town of Bayfield. We also owe a debt of gratitude to Anthony Jennings, Kathleen Russell, Tim and Cari Logemann, Heidi Zimmer of Wild Rice Retreat, and Landmark Conservancy for their donations. Bayfield Area Trails volunteers were able to cross a number of items off the To Do list due to great participation over seven days and Will Krift's fantastic leadership. Special kudos to Rex Dollinger (and Ollie) for the use of his trailer, tools, and extra support. 
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The main goal of the recent work was to make a steep unstable section of the trail more user friendly for walkers of all skill levels, as well as for "wheeled" users including bikes and strollers. Bayfield Area Trails Committee Chair Kate Kitchell explains the other purpose; “We hope this will keep trail users on the proper trail right-of-way, rather than crossing private property along the old railroad grade.” New signs will be installed by Landmark Conservancy to provide clear direction for trail users.
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Kate Kitchell and Will Krift and lots of Geocell Grid Paver!
​The project goals were accomplished by widening the trail and installing Geocell Grid Paver material to stabilize the trail slope for “wheeled” vehicles; replacing deteriorated risers in the steps; filling the steps with fresh gravel; and adding railing along the steps. Other trail upgrades included refreshing gravel from the top of the steps to Blue Wing Bay Road and installing a sluice box “culvert” across the trail to improve drainage. At the base of the renovated steps, a pad was prepared for a memorial bench to honor Peg Dollinger. Once it is installed next spring, trail users will be able to rest and enjoy a great view of the lake! 
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Kate Kitchell, Will Krift and Betsy Blanchard work at the top of the renovated section of the Brownstone Trail.
​This important project would have never happened without the time and energy of the many BATS volunteers who pitched in: Sue Aiken, Betsy Blanchard, Bill Bussey, Doreen Conrad, Rex Dollinger, Neil Howk, John Ipsen, Kate Kitchell, Gene Lemmenes, Ted May, Jim Moeller, Jimmy Moore, Scott Nesvold, Cyndi Taylor, Monarda Thrasher, Stephen Vircsik, Kris Wegerson, Grant Wilcox, and Jan Wilcox. 

Many thanks to all who pulled together to make this happen! Go check it out.

Visit Landmark Conservancy’s Brownstone Trail Updates page to learn more about the Brownstone Trail’s bigger picture.

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