Vandalism

What a shame! This bench was handmade as a memorial to a beloved colleague, place in a shady area overlooking a peaceful and picturesque field at the Lane Street meadow , but it couldn't remain unsullied for long. I guess some kids find it amusing to desecrate some things that are not theirs. Would they do this to their parent's gravestones?
I've seen teens hanging around, friendly enough and by all appearances just enjoying the location away from the streets. Maybe it's the same kids, maybe not. If we were ever to find out who they were, I would like to see them made to sand down and refinish the bench to our satisfaction, instead of a slap on the wrist and a half-hearted warning. If only I were king!

Another Day at the Office

Another productive Saturday work party! In spite of the threat of rain and potential birdshot from our irritable road boss, we managed to spread wood chips on the trail behind the baseball field at Riverview Park (Bluff Walk). No volunteers were permanently harmed during the filming of this exercise.

Golf in Open Spaces

Where do all the golf balls come from?

Wherever we work on trails and open spaces in Shelton we find golf balls. I often wondered how they got there. Some were near open areas or ball fields that I just assumed guys went to practice hitting balls. But some were well back in the woods, in swamps, or far out along the trails. I was a non-golfer and could never understand how golf balls became so ubiquitous. I think that after a few million years when they find a layer of fossil golf balls in all the rocks they'll call this the little white ball age.

I had never played golf before this year when Bill Dyer kindly gave me a set of his legacy clubs to play in a charity tournament (luckily I had good partners so we didn't finish last, so my objective was achieved). I had a good time playing in the tournament; I can see now why my friends like playing this game. I have since taken to thwacking balls in the back yard or at driving ranges for the fun of it. It's grown into a weird obsession; like eating pistachio nuts, you can't have just one - it has to be a bunch. I'm gradually coming to understand that you have to be a little nutty to like golf.

Well I've also finally found out where all the golf balls come from on the trails:

We're in Business at the Boat Club

Rich Skudlarek models the latest yachting apparel at the Silent Waters Canoe Launch (and we also allow kayaks, john boats, and inflatables if they are not too trendy). The access is on Constitution Boulevard North across from the Intermediate School. Rich & I cleared out the puckerbrush on Saturday along the road & set up the sign after we got pipes for the scouts & stopped at the big EMS tag sale. You can now park and safely off load your boat for some easy paddling fun along the RecPath.

Here is a photo of the improved canoe ramp and lake. I added 2 Gator loads of rip rap, plus some larger rocks that were scavenged. The ramp could use a few more stones in the end, but I was running out of steam on Labor Day afternoon, so everybody bring a rock to add when you go boating. I had a number of folks come up to me and ask if they could canoe/fish/hike here (I really have got to work on keeping a straight face when I offer to sell those special Shelton Open Space Passes for $5 cash). But no, I always tell them the truth; that they can enjoy the park for free. I had some people come up and ask what City Department I worked for, and after I got done laughing, I said it's all volunteers folks. You get out of it what you put into it. Hopefully some people sign up at the Shelton Trails website for our upcoming work parties.

The lake is small & shallow so it's a good place for families with kids learning to paddle.

It was nice seeing everybody out using the greenway. There were people out fishing, walking their dog, couples strolling, and families biking. I chatted with one nice guy who was surprised to see the canoe launch, and then went home & brought his brother back to show him where to launch their boat. They had been carrying their boat up & over the dam (they said it was way more work than using our new canoe ramp). I hope they get a big bass next time they're here.

Enjoy the canoe launch & please pick up whatever trash you see. Happy paddling from your friends at Shelton Trails.

Eagle Scout Project - Abbey Wright

Craig Richard, a member of Venture Crew 2727 in White Hills (in my youth they were called Explorer Scouts), had chosen as a community project toward his Eagle Scout award to divert standing water at the Abbey Wright trail head away from the trail, raise the path to avoid puddles and wet areas, and tidy up the area between the street and the parking area by spreading wood chips and planting shrubs. His project included advance planning, meeting with the affected parties, soliciting donations, and supervising the labor involved. He was assisted by members of his Venture Crew and supported by members of his family.

Work begins on digging a drainage ditch to alleviate ponding at the beginning of the trail.

Craig and friend relocate huge obstacle from projected trench path.

Back-breaking work, but that's what young men are for!

Another crew spreads wood chips between the road and the parking area

Crew 2727 pulls together to help Craig meet his objectives.

Yeah...pizza break!
Pipes laid, trench filled, path raised with millings, looks good! Job well done by Craig Richards and the men of Venture Crew 2727!

Check out the Venture Crew 2727 web site:
www.chucksbetterhome.com/venturecrew2727.html

An Urban Rail Trail

If you don't know about it yet, the city of New York has developed what was once an elevated train route into a linear park/walkway, calling it the "High Line". I was quite impressed with the design and aesthetic of the "trail", which is only partly finished . If you are in the city, in the old meat-packing district, you can access the High Line at several places between Gansevoort St. and 20th St.

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For a Thursday morning, the High Line had quite a few users, but it was a gorgeous day, so...

The path is broken by areas of tall grasses, flowers, trees and shrubs, and passes under, around and through old and new buildings.

Plenty of benches, chairs, and in this area, lounges.

Elevated views of the local neighborhoods.

An elevated prairie?

Work continues to complete the High Line.

Bluff Walk Video

Watch the Bluff Walk at Riverview Park. Select "HQ" to watch in higher quality.