The William M. and Donna J. Hoaglin Foundation, Inc.

The William M. and Donna J. Hoaglin Foundation, Inc. awards grant to resurface the Shimek Forest Wet Weather Trails

 

 

The William M. and Donna J. Hoaglin Foundation, Inc. of Mt. Pleasant has awarded a $10,000 grant to Friends of Shimek (FOS) to be used to resurface the existing Wet Weather Trails in the Lick Creek Unit of Shimek Forest. 

According to Ringo Covert, President of Friends of Shimek, the William M. and Donna J. Hoaglin Foundation has been instrumental in developi...ng the Wet Weather Trails. The Foundation provided the first grant in 2012 to begin the Wet Weather Trail system (WWT). They made an additional grant a couple of years later that expanded the Wet Weather Trails to over 6 miles. These grants have made the vision of Forester John Byrd a reality—a vision to have firm trails that can be ridden in wetter weather to assure that all 25 plus miles of trails in the Lick Creek Unit are protected from damage. This concept has radically affected the usage and condition of the trails at Shimek Forest. Now, in only the very wettest weather –such as the spring thaw—are all trails closed. Instead, what is now 6.5 miles of Wet Weather Trails (mileage excludes roads) are available to ride when weather conditions mean that the dirt trails could be seriously damaged and the likelihood of injury to horses or riders on those trails make them not safe to use. The Wet Weather Trails provide a wide, rocked surface that is firm and sustainable.

This grant funds Phase 2 of a plan to resurface the entire Wet Weather Trail System. The first part was to correct damage from the past winter, which was funded by a grant from the Lee County Charitable Fund and has been completed. This grant from the William M. and Donna J. Hoaglin Foundation is now being used to purchase rock to resurface all areas of the WWT to reduce damage in the near future. It will be matched by $3,000 from FOS using funds raised through events such as the November 9th Fund Raiser. Forester John Byrd has committed the Shimek DNR crew and equipment to resurface the trails with rock. By the very nature of the trails—ridden regularly in all condition--- the maintenance of the trails will be an on-going issue but this complete re-rocking will improve all surfaces, requiring only annual upgrades for the foreseeable future.
The project is already underway. The photos show the work being done to improve both surface appearance and durability by adding and packing the rock on the trails and one of the recently re-rocked trails being ridden. Work will complete next spring to have the trails in the best condition for spring riding.