Saturday, October 30, 2010

I Like To Move It

Weekend #2 at Leaders Park. Saturday was a gorgeous day to frolic amongst the trees.



--- the Bridges of Leaders Park ---

Last week we talked about bridge work. Here are a couple shots of their progress. We let them lie this weekend pending trail routing review from a neighborhood representative.



Heavy metal.



Footings.

--- the Rocks of Leaders Park ---

Remember that pile of rock mentioned a few posts ago that LG Everist gifted FAST? Task #1 for the weekend: MOVE IT.



Down the hill on a motorized, tractorized wheel barrow.



Down the hill in a regular human controlled wheelbarrow. What's a FAST event in the park without a dog present? Woof!



Here's Mr. Clean - gettin' dirty.



In the end the rocks are placed in proximity to where they will be needed.



Here's one of those meddling kids involved in that singletrack trail building stuff. Smiling after another trek down the hill.



I hope he can find his way back out of there.



As of late Saturday - thanks to the efforts of a team of 15 volunteers the rock pile was a small fraction of its former self.

We should be able to wrap the task up by quitting time Sunday. It's simply bonus that park neighbors requested the "eyesore" rocks be moved ASAP. Within a few weeks, job done.

Yep, FAST Rocks!

--- the Trails of Leaders Park ---

Last but not least, a rough draft of the easy trail has been flagged.



In the end a clinometer will be used to assure the trail grades remain sustainable and pin flags will be placed frequently enough to guarantee proper digging. For now the flags are placed at eye level every 10 or 15 feet.

Monday, October 25, 2010

Ol' Hallows Weekend

Next weekend. We're focusing on three tasks.

1. Rocks and roll. Move the rocks from the pile at the top of park to the bottom of the park, at or near final placement. This will involve copius amounts of walking with loaded four wheel carts.

2. Bridge work of a non-dental variety. Span the drainage-way with the steel trusses and lay the decking on the bridges. Upon completion enjoy crossing the drainage in proper bridge-like comfort. This will be a landmark reason to celebrate!

3. Trail work. Placement of pin flags, corridor clearing and ground scraping. This is the final priority and might not occur until the final work session.

Three work sessions are available:
Saturday from 9 to noon.
Saturday from 2 to 5.
Sunday from 1 to 4.

To volunteer pick one or more sessions and contact Volunteer Wrangler Chris.

Sunday, October 24, 2010

It's On!

A week ago, to prepare for a neighborhood representative tour, we climbed through Leaders Park with an eye toward explaining the trail routes. Each time we visit the park we learn a little bit more about it.

In one particular section there is a coffee table, a vacuum, and this microwave. The Kitchen seems an apt name for this section.





The park needs some bridges. FAST has bridges. We selected two locations for placement. Trail design will connect them.

The FAST braintrust met on the east side of the park for some base touching too.



This gal kept us all honest.



Over the course of the week FAST paid its first annual insurance premium, had the waiver approved by the lawyer, and was told by the parks department to go ahead with the plan.



Word went out and volunteers were aligned. Yesterday's task was to get the bridge work as far along as possible. The FAST cart and another powered wheelbarrow were employed to place the four bridge footings.



Also four 30ft steel trusses were placed in proximity to their final position.

Many thanks to the awesome team of 10 people that lent thier muscles to FAST on it's very first work day.

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Help Wanted: Saturday

It's starting to start. There are two chances to jump into the process Saturday.

First, 1pm there will be a painting party. 1 coat of primer. 1 coat of paint. Enough 2x4's and 2x6's to span the Leaders Park drainage three times.

Second, 2pm moving bridges into place. This will occur at the park. We've got rocks, and large pieces of steel to move and assemble over the drainage. Many hands will make lighter work.

Please RSVP to President Chris your intent to attend. Indicate your interest by including the word "painting" or "bridges."

FAST is implementing a program offering naming rights of trail sections to the volunteers who volunteer the most hours. Get started early.

Our completion target is 11/30/11.

Go.

Sunday, October 17, 2010

This Rocks!

We all know that FAST rocks. What most don't know is that FAST has a pile of rocks.



The trail in Leaders Park will feature three bridges to cross the creek. The pile of rocks will be used as bridge abutment ballast. This pile currently sits at the top of the park.

The materials and delivery were provided by LG Everist - Rock Solid Since 1876. Thank you LG Everist.