HERB PARSONS BRIDGE BUILDING PREPERATION

[muddymatt]

Sunday March 17 (that right St. Patrick's Day)
We are in dire need of many strong, willing and able bodies to move over 1,000lbs worth of bridge building Materials from Lakeview Drive out to 2 bridges that are desperately in need of rebuilding due to bank erosion making them unsafe and twisting.
This excursion is being done in preparation for the upcoming Memphis Velo Bike race to be held at HP on April 20th.

Please show up in force so we can make this as easy as possible. If we do not get the show of support the bridges may not be replaced before the race and that is a safety issue. (Dont get Brad started on Safety!)

Bring your gloves, snacks and water it is going to be a long day.

We need to move the following at minimum:
72-2x6x40, 4-2x8x8, 4-2x8x12, 4-2x12x16, some 4x4x8's, some 6x6, other miscellaneous pieces, and supplies.

We will be meeting on Lakeview Drive at 9am

[flyerdrew21]

I'm out of town on the 17th, but will hopefully be able to help on the 23rd with the building.

[goochy]

Could a tractor with fork lift on the front help ? I am very busy this weekend , but might could help ? I have a 40 HP 4x4 tractor with bucket loader, fork lift , and rear grader blade . Or is this area to tight for tractor ? Is a tractor even legal to use on park lands ?

[rich_k]

What's the distance from Lakeview to the job sites? Can at least some of the terrain be negotiated w/ a wheelbarrow?

[Larry_K]

Steve is converting his DR to materials carrier mode so it will be in use. We've taken a wheelbarrow through the entire trail from Lakeview to the arch bridge before, so it's possible with a 2nd set of hands to help in a few iffy spots (it wasn't heavily loaded down though).

Goochy, I don't think a tractor would make it back there, even if we had the ok to try.

[muddymatt]

NO to tractor sorry but we need you gooch!
YES to wheelbarrows. It is about 3/4 of a mile in using shortcuts to 1st bridge, then another 1/2 to next bridge, give or take.

[SteveK]

Remember we have two locations to move materials, the second is twice as far as the first.

Hope to see several leprechauns Sunday the 17th.


A leprechaun (Irish: leipreachán) is a type of fairy in Irish folklore, usually taking the form of an old man, clad in a red or green coat, who enjoys partaking in mischief.

Who fits that description? (Brad/me?)

[Busta Move]

When we built the original bridges, we used boats and had people go to the shore of the lake, close to where the bridges were to be located, and flag the boats in. We used one boat to pull the others that were loaded. Made quick work out of 10 bridge installations.

Something to consider if the lake manager will loan you the rental boats for an hour or two.

RIP

[rich_k]

This sounds like a very good idea. What do y'all think? Could save a lot of back pain!

[goochy]

What about floating the lumber over with rope tied to it should work

[Larry_K]

I was looking at a GPS map of that section. I think one of the bridges is pretty close to the small log pile (with bypass) about 1/4 mile past the "lovers bench", Matt and I stopped to check out a possible "landing site" a while back by the bench and it might work but will be tough to get the heavy items up that 8-10' ledge. Lumber transfer wouldn't be too tough there though.

The larger bridge is much closer to Lakeview, if we go in using construction entrance it's not that long of a haul. I don't think the closest spot by boat would save much distance for that one.

[herlsy]

Sorry, Wifes birthday that day. Was looking forward to getting some trail work in now that it's warming up too.

[muddymatt]

Dont Worry Hersly and Flyerdrew
you can apply your construction skills the following weekend when we dig the footers and build the 2 bridges
Matt

We could only boat to one of the 2 sites for this project. Appreciate the history on that Busta. Like larry said, the bigger of the 2 bridges is closer to lakeview than water.
damon is OK with us using a boat when we need it.

[herlsy]

Sounds good, i have plenty of tools i can bring.

[muddymatt]

Still looking for helpers on Sunday. We have very few people responding. C'mon y'all I know you enjoy the work that Steve, Brad, Larry and I have done out there. Show some support so we can continue to make this trail the "Best in the West" of Tennessee!

The land manager is counting on the volunteers to get this accomplished to benefit ALL who use the trails!

Please HELP us send a good image to the land manager