Phase I of Restoration Work Complete at the Historic Iron Bridge

Starting on Saturday December 5th, volunteers began efforts to restore the view of Bayfield’s Historic Iron Bridge at the Gil Larsen Trailhead on Washington Ave. This phase of the work is now complete thanks to the help of 12 community volunteers who dedicated 60 hours of time cutting and clearing trees and brush.

This sets the stage for restoring the creek bottom with native species. The cut stumps will be carefully treated by mid-December with an herbicide. The first round of planting and continued invasive species control will occur in Spring/Summer of 2021.
 
Over the last four months, the City Parks and Recreation Committee, in coordination with the Tree Board and Landmark Conservancy, has led development of this Plan to Restore and Maintain the Viewshed in the long-term by planting low and slow-growing shrubs and trees that will “frame” the view corridor. Bay Area Environmental Consultants provided technical input on this plan as part of a contracted Erosion Control and Restoration Plan for the Big Ravine. Copies of these plans are also linked on the Bayfield Area Trails website News page.
 
For more information contact: Kate Kitchell katepkitchell@gmail.com or Matt Carrier matthew-carrier@bethel.edu.