June 23-26 - Work Project & Working with Rock Training Seminar - St. Croix Falls, Polk County - IAT Thank You!

Hello,

For as hot as it was, properly acknowledging your selfless efforts throughout the course of last weeks MSC project can only be cool in comparison!

Thank you for being one of “many hands” to make “light work” of the diverse trail tasks completed during the MSC/Indianhead Chapter project June 23-26, 2005.  The community welcome extended by the Indianhead Chapter, our trail neighbors, the citizens of St. Croix Falls and the Department of Natural Resources was overwhelmingly generous.  Thank you for hosting us in your home and playground.   Just as we marveled at the story left in limestone by the Nautilus, we also left a legacy to be enjoyed by generations to come.

By the numbers:

Approximately 105 volunteers contributed approximately 2000 hours (the bottom line is still being tallied) toward making this project a success.  The preliminary figures represent new all-time highs for volunteer participation at a MSC project.  Whether you helped with advance planning needs, public relations, meal preparation and clean-up (over 550 meals were served!), trail work, photography, entertainment or otherwise, you made the difference.

Review of project priorities:

1. “Complete all rock and timber structures”.   The final handrail was secured in place at “Nautilus”, the twenty-six foot long bridge, at 3:14 Sunday afternoon.  Seven rock structures entailing varying degrees of difficulty were constructed.  These included mono walls, hardened surfaces, the Mindy Creek masterpiece, the powerful Homestead Dam crossing, the amazing abutments and rock approach itself to "Nautilus”.  Special thanks to crew leaders Todd McAllister, Keith Veldhuizen, Lyle Lidholm, Mike Wollmer, Bob Broman, Luke Kloberdanz and the many crewmembers who contributed. 
2. “Improve user safety and trail sustainability”.  Steep slopes were mitigated by trail reroutes, ten inch tread upgraded to twenty four inches, toe thumpers removed and all sections enhanced end to end.  The Mindy Creek crossing and Homestead Dam areas were designed and constructed with safety and aesthetics in mind.  Special thanks to crew leaders Gary Klatt, Mark VanhornWedder, Greg Locascio, Esther Locascio, Bob Broman, Andy Marshall (who was just in from 40-days on the IAT) and the many crewmembers who contributed.  
3. “Execute reroutes and 4-step tread construction”.  6790 feet of trail from Hwy 87 to Day Road was built, enhanced, mowed or rehabbed.  Approximately one-mile of new trail was roughed-in at Zillmer Park.
4. “Trail signage”. Trail signage was upgraded and added as needed from Day Road to Hwy 87.  Special thanks to Corky Lundberg and crew.
5. “Land Stewardship”. The viewshed from the cedar tree in Section 9 was enhanced by the removal of invasive honeysuckle, buckthorn and red cedar.  Ray Zillmer Park got a jump-start by crews corridor clearing and removing honeysuckle and buckthorn crowding the understory of mighty oaks.  We mowed a loop path, plunked rocks to facilitate ongoing maintenance needs and laid down tread to improve the walking surface. Special thanks to crew leaders Brad Crary, Barbara Woodhouse, Steve Clark, Kevin Thusius, Butch Siegel, the Northwest Passage group and all crewmembers who contributed.
6. “Trail layout and design at Hospital Wellness Esker”. The St. Croix Medical Center’s Wellness esker was visited by a small group of four (members of the Indianhead Chapter and MSC) to identify and suggest design solutions that the Indianhead chapter will work with to improve the steep approach at the south end, address safety concerns on top of the esker, and revisit the trail route on the north approach of the esker. 
7. “Trail signage upgrades at Interstate Park”.  This remains unchecked on our “to do” list. 

In Addition:

Saturday mornings “Working with Rock” seminar was the first on-site training of its kind at an MSC project.  Eleven folks participated and were led by learned instructors Bob Broman and Todd McAllister.

Unending thanks to Cora Dversdall, Jeannie Kant, Ed Hartman, Thelma Johnson and the rest of the Project Support Crew that fed us well both on and off the Trail. Finally, a heartfelt thanks to Dean Dversdall and Herb Lundberg for their leadership as host Chapter representatives and Brooke Whaalen with public relations.

Although we’ve pulled up tent stakes, the stage has been set for the St. Croix Falls community to continue the work initiated in Zillmer Park and add the finishing touches to the Trail between Day Road and Hwy 87.  Contact Indianhead Chapter Coordinator Dean Dversdall (715.472.2248) for follow up needs and work days. 

Jim and Susan Beck, the Marathon County Chapter and the MSC Project Team invite you to the 45^th parallel July 14-17 for the next MSC project.  Here is another chance to build on the rockwork and 4-step tread construction experiences you gained in St. Croix Falls.  The Eau Claire River with the mighty Dalles will be your backdrop.  The project announcement will follow this thank you very soon.

Thank you one and all. 

Sincerely,

The MSC St. Croix Falls Project Team