Friends of Shimek Update --News and Aug 25th Work Day Plans

Friends of Shimek Update 2015-9

From Forester John Byrd......

It has been an interesting spring and summer this year at Shimek.  Looking back, a dry summer would have been  a welcome site, given the amount of work we need to get done.  Some hope is on the horizon with the rains becoming less frequent and trails starting to dry out.  Hopefully, we will actually be able to hold the August 25th Work Day discussed below.  I'll see you there as we tackle the overgrowth and downed trees on the trails.

The wet weather trail (WWT) was recently closed so some of the bad spots could be fixed.  After 2 weeks of being closed and spreading over 100 tons of rock on it, the WWT is about 70% repaired and is open for riding.  One thing a wet year provides is a worst case scenario.  The staff now knows what to expect and where the weak spots are on the WWT.  This is especially important when construction of the new WWT gets underway.  Construction of the additional WWT should begin this fall, but before we can start putting rock down we must get the trails shaped so they are easier to maintain.  Most of the rock for the additional WWT is being funded by a grant from the William M. and Donna J. Hoaglin Foundation, Inc.  Please look for updates in the future on the progress and called work days for spreading rock, if you would be willing to help.  Of course this is all weather dependent.

 

 I would like to thank everyone for staying off the trails when they have been closed.  I know it is frustrating but, it makes maintenance much easier and less costly when there are not major wet spots everywhere.  Thank you for being patient while the WWT was closed.  I have learned that the WWT is not an all-weather trail and may have to close from time to time, when we have such weather extremes. 
             

 I look forward to a safe and enjoyable fall riding season.

 

John Byrd, Area Forester

john.byrd@dnr.iowa.gov
319-878-3811 *******************************************************************************************************************

Group Work Day Scheduled for August 25th.                                       

Clearing the trails.

We are optimistic that with the shift to drier weather, we will be able to hold our first trail maintenance workday this year!  So please try to come help with trail work--lots of catch-up to do.

 Meet at the Lick Creek Unit Upper Campground, day parking area at 8:00 AM on August 25th.  Marsha Achenbach is the FOS Work Day Coordinator.  She and John Byrd will assign trail sections for volunteers to work.  Work to be done: Clearing downed trees and mowing back brush on trails. Reinstalling six of the You Are Here Signs that were taken down last fall. ATV teams will be sent out to clear downed trees from trails, pick up cans, and clear back overhanging limbs with loppers.  Mowing teams will be sent out to mow on and beside trails. The heavy duty walk behind mowers or weedeaters or small tractors/brushhogs will be needed as trails are badly overgrown.  Please contact John  if you can bring an ATV, chainsaws, mowers or other equipment suitable for attacking the trail clearing needed.  All crew members out on trails are requested  to wear their FOS Vests or use one of the loaner vest provided by FOS.

One crew will be needed to fill potholes on the road with rock from the dump truck--John will provide the dump truck and rock.  In the campground, the Horse Shelter at the Upper Campground needs the support posts installed under the gates.  Cody will bring the materials and tools to do this. Fire pits need cleaning out in the campgrounds.

 Plan to BrownBag your lunch; water provided.  Contact John Byrd at John.Byrd@dnr.iowa.gov or phone number 319-878-3811  or send a message to FOShimek@gmail.com if you are planning to attend. 

Working after lunch will be up to the individual workers and weather conditions.

Bring Iowa deposit cans/bottles from home to redeem/recycle.  The ones you bring plus those left in the recycle baskets at the campgrounds or picked up off the trails will be sorted and packaged for redemption. Ann Bennett is in charge of recycling.

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Lala and friends out for a ride.

Reminder--October 24th  Friends of Shimek's 2nd Annual Potluck and Raffle.

Plan to come ride with friends and stay for the Potluck and Raffle.  More details will follow on prizes and ticket sales but NOW IS THE TIME TO RESERVE YOUR CAMPING SPOT!  LOWER CAMPGROUND. There are only 24 sites at the lower campground! 

 

 

Debbie Miller, FOS Coordinator for the event, has already reserved her space--Site #46--same location as last year.

 

To reserve your space---

 Go to
 http://iowastateparks.reserveamerica.com/

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