Sechelt, British Columbia, Canada
To preserve, enhance and maintain natural areas of Sechelt and its surrounds
with special emphasis on the Sechelt Heritage Forest and the Hidden Grove.
"Keep a green tree in your heart and perhaps a songbird will come." -- Chinese proverb
with special emphasis on the Sechelt Heritage Forest and the Hidden Grove.
"Keep a green tree in your heart and perhaps a songbird will come." -- Chinese proverb
PROJECT DESCRIPTION:
To construct trails to "Handicap/Wheelchair Accessible" standards so that those in wheel chairs or with walkers may visit the Hidden Groves Ancient Forest experiencing the variety of old growth trees and the abeyance of a true West Coast Forest.
SEE EARLY DETAILS
To construct trails to "Handicap/Wheelchair Accessible" standards so that those in wheel chairs or with walkers may visit the Hidden Groves Ancient Forest experiencing the variety of old growth trees and the abeyance of a true West Coast Forest.
SEE EARLY DETAILS
THE HANDICAP TRAIL
GO TO Latest News - Below
PROGRESS IS COVERED IN ALBUM- Right--->
Feb 11/12 - More expensive tracked Bobcat is brought in and the workparty begins work in earnst to fill ruts and distribute crusher dust.
Feb 8 to 10 - Wheeled Bobcat digs ruts!
Feb 7/12 - Bobcat arrives in the afternooon.
Feb 6/12 - in spite of lots of advice and a whole day wasted working, the special machine cannot come close to doing the job. At the same time a borrowed tractor is not working. It is decided to rent a proper Bobcat and spend afternoons moving material with volunteers spreading and compacting in the mornings.
Feb 11/12 - More expensive tracked Bobcat is brought in and the workparty begins work in earnst to fill ruts and distribute crusher dust.
Feb 8 to 10 - Wheeled Bobcat digs ruts!
Feb 7/12 - Bobcat arrives in the afternooon.
Feb 6/12 - in spite of lots of advice and a whole day wasted working, the special machine cannot come close to doing the job. At the same time a borrowed tractor is not working. It is decided to rent a proper Bobcat and spend afternoons moving material with volunteers spreading and compacting in the mornings.
AND
Feb 1/12 - Lehigh and Swanson's Give VERY special rate on crusher dust and trucking for Handicap Trail. Thank you both.
Jan 27/12 - The very special machine arrives that will be used to haul and spread the crusher dust to surface the Trial.
Thank you to Marilyn Jares who is allowing us to store it in her yard (across from the Grove) when not in use.
Thank you to Marilyn Jares who is allowing us to store it in her yard (across from the Grove) when not in use.
Jan 24/12 - person using Zimmer frame spotted on unfinished Trail - They can't wait!!!
January/12 - Special machine is to arrive that can haul the crusher dust and spread it on the new trail
January/12 - Special machine is to arrive that can haul the crusher dust and spread it on the new trail
(Click to see larger)
June 20/11 - Checking the route
Volunteer experts Jason Herz (SCCA and machine owner/operator) and Michel Frenette (SCRD Trail expert with Quebec degree in trailbuilding) along with Grove members Michael Davidson and Bob D'Arcy (took picture) reviewed the entire route of the planned trail. A much revised route was decided upon for a multitude of reasons. The new route will be a bit longer and much more interesting - enough that those who do not have wheel chairs will enjoy it!
Now the Volunteers will start making the new route.
Volunteer experts Jason Herz (SCCA and machine owner/operator) and Michel Frenette (SCRD Trail expert with Quebec degree in trailbuilding) along with Grove members Michael Davidson and Bob D'Arcy (took picture) reviewed the entire route of the planned trail. A much revised route was decided upon for a multitude of reasons. The new route will be a bit longer and much more interesting - enough that those who do not have wheel chairs will enjoy it!
Now the Volunteers will start making the new route.
2011
December 2/11 A special grant of up to $6,681 is confirmed.
November 10/11 - Bill for machine work reflects very generous and good deal for the Grove from Small World Excavating - See letter
October 21, 2011 - The machine gets to the end to the pad for wheelchair turn around. On way out it will smooth trail. Next is compressing and crusher dust hauled in and compressed - lots of work.
October 15/11 - Progress after a week off - almost to the "Saddle" at the top
September 19, 2011 - Big Day - Machine work starts on the Trail - 1st and 3rd Day
December 2/11 A special grant of up to $6,681 is confirmed.
November 10/11 - Bill for machine work reflects very generous and good deal for the Grove from Small World Excavating - See letter
October 21, 2011 - The machine gets to the end to the pad for wheelchair turn around. On way out it will smooth trail. Next is compressing and crusher dust hauled in and compressed - lots of work.
October 15/11 - Progress after a week off - almost to the "Saddle" at the top
September 19, 2011 - Big Day - Machine work starts on the Trail - 1st and 3rd Day
August 5/11 - Provincial approval to take down the trees as needed on the new route. See letter
August 9, 2011 - MoF Fire Suppression provide tree clearing for Handicap Trail - See pictures
August 31, 2011 - Basic clearing of Trail started near parking area
Part of parking area dedicated to
Handicap parking. Room for two vans.
Bus parking is nearer entrance.
District has promised Handicap Only signage for spring
Handicap parking. Room for two vans.
Bus parking is nearer entrance.
District has promised Handicap Only signage for spring
Looking towards the Handicap Parking area during construction. Red Arrow points
to start of Handicap Trail.
to start of Handicap Trail.
THE TIMELINE:
Once some funds are in hand work would commence using our team of Volunteers and buying materials or renting equipment as the funds allowed. With sufficient funds in hand the entire main trails project should be completed in 8 to 10 weeks (weather permitting).
Our goal is to start in May, 2011
PROJECT BUDGET SUMMARY: (Includes no charges or stipends for a great deal of planned Volunteer labour)
Cost estimate for Hidden Groves Handicap Trail
Materials: 262 metric tons of sand/clean fill $1920
150 metric tons of road base/crushed rock $2165
62 metric tons of crusher dust $ 985
Trucking: 33 loads at $85/hr $3170
______
$8,240
Machine Time [contracted out]:
Bobcat for 60 hours at $80/hr + delivery $5600
Compactor $2000
______
TOTAL ESTIMATED BASIS #1 $15,840
ALTERNATE MIGHT BE POSSIBLE Machine Time [volunteer labour]:
2 weeks Bobcat rental at $1250/wk + delivery $2950
Fuel for 12 days at $40/day $ 480
2 weeks compactor rental at $240/wk + gas $ 625
_______
TOTAL ESTIMATED BASIS #2 $12,295
* HST HAS BEEN ADDED TO ALL ESTIMATES
Once some funds are in hand work would commence using our team of Volunteers and buying materials or renting equipment as the funds allowed. With sufficient funds in hand the entire main trails project should be completed in 8 to 10 weeks (weather permitting).
Our goal is to start in May, 2011
PROJECT BUDGET SUMMARY: (Includes no charges or stipends for a great deal of planned Volunteer labour)
Cost estimate for Hidden Groves Handicap Trail
Materials: 262 metric tons of sand/clean fill $1920
150 metric tons of road base/crushed rock $2165
62 metric tons of crusher dust $ 985
Trucking: 33 loads at $85/hr $3170
______
$8,240
Machine Time [contracted out]:
Bobcat for 60 hours at $80/hr + delivery $5600
Compactor $2000
______
TOTAL ESTIMATED BASIS #1 $15,840
ALTERNATE MIGHT BE POSSIBLE Machine Time [volunteer labour]:
2 weeks Bobcat rental at $1250/wk + delivery $2950
Fuel for 12 days at $40/day $ 480
2 weeks compactor rental at $240/wk + gas $ 625
_______
TOTAL ESTIMATED BASIS #2 $12,295
* HST HAS BEEN ADDED TO ALL ESTIMATES
