Trail Status Change at Lick Creek Unit-WWT Only 11/24/20

Paint Iowa Beautiful Project at Shimek Forest

 

 
Paint Iowa Beautiful Project at Shimek Forest

 

  

Picnic Table before pressure washing

Diamond Vogel, through the Paint Iowa Beautiful Project, awarded Friends of Shimek a grant of 5 gallons of stain in 2020. The stain was to be used to refurbish picnic table tops and benches, beginning with those in the Shimek Forest Lick Creek Unit. The stain was awarded to Ringo Covert, President of Friends of Shimek, by Nick Wittenmyer at the Diamond Vogel Store in Burlington. Due to the COVID pandemic, work was delayed, seeking a way to safely accomplish the task. Under the leadership of Patrick Thomas, DNR Technician at Shimek, DNR staff  began the project by pressure washing the tables to remove soil and mold from the old but sturdy tables. A test project showed that one gallon of stain would only cover a few tables!! The wood had been untreated for so long that it is very absorbent. With sufficient tables cleaned for the stain available, on the Iowa DNR Parks Volunteer Day, Patrick and a group of five Volunteers completed the staining of tables until all five gallons of awarded stain and three additional gallons purchased by DNR were used. The result was tables that look like new! A remarkable transformation occurs and hopefully the useful life of the tables will be extended. There are many more tables yet to do! Hopefully with volunteers, DNR staff, and additional stain, more can be refurbished next year.

 

 The first step of the Paint Iowa Beautiful Project at Shimek Forest  was to pressure wash the tables. On the DNR State Parks Volunteer Day, a small group of volunteers, following COVID guidance, worked with DNR Technician Patrick Thomas to stain the tables.  Volunteers shown, left to right, Marvin and Doris Thomas, Bruce Huddleston, Jo Watson and Marsha Achenbach assisted Patrick with the staining.

   

  

The results of pressure washing tables and applying Diamond-Vogel stain is spectacular!  The tables look new again though they are well over 20 years old, thanks to the Paint Iowa Beautiful Project at Shimek Forest.  This project has only done a small number of the tables, but more are planned in the future, when funds are available.

 

 Thank you for your support of our project.

on behalf of Friends of Shimek

Lora Conrad, Secretary

Kathy, Editor 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DNR crew completing work on the Wet Weather Trails

The Shimek DNR crew have been spreading lime chips and road rock on the Wet Weather Trails--getting them ready for another year of trail riding even in wet conditions. The rock has been provided by a grant from the William M and Donna J Hoaglin Foundation. The Foundation has been the major benefactor in the development of the Wet Weather Trails at Shimek. The DNR Crew have provided most of the ...labor. As riders, our responsibilities are two-fold --- 1)do no harm: Follow the regulations about riding only on trails that are open --trails can be all open, or only Wet Weather Trails open or all closed--depending on weather conditions. 2)leave no trash: If you carry it in, carry it out--maybe be extra nice and pickup and remove any trash you see. Much appreciation to both the Foundation and the DNR Crew from all the Friends of Shimek. (Photo by Jo Watson)

 

As a reminder hunting season is upon us.  Please use caution by wearing your reflective clothing while out riding. 

 

We hope you are enjoying these beautiful fall days. Winter will soon be upon us and we will be wishing for the warm riding weather.

 

May your trails be blessed with beauty and enjoyment.

 

Kathy

 

Editor