DRBA to Hike Richmond & Danville Rail-Trail

Returning to a popular hike in Pittsylvania County, at 10:00 on January 2, 2010, DRBA will hike four miles on the Richmond & Danville Rail-Trail, beginning at Hackberry Road near Sutherlin, VA. Starting near wetlands where wildlife, especially water birds, may be visible, the hike on the smooth, five-foot-wide, crushed-stone surface passes farms, homesteads, fields, and forests. Three miles into the trip, hikers will stop for lunch at the five-arch stone trestle over Sandy Creek, a stunning, well-preserved structure. The hike will end at the Shawnee Road parking area one mile beyond the trestle.

Chartered in 1835, the Richmond & Danville Railroad ran its first train in 1856. During the Civil War it was the busiest link between Southside Virginia and the Confederate capital at Richmond. Jefferson Davis and the entire Confederate cabinet retreated from Richmond to Danville along this line in 1865, probably carrying the Confederate treasury with them before it mysteriously disappeared.

Preserved by the Dan River Trail Association for hikers, bikers, and equestrians, the R&D rail-trail is projected to be part of the Beaches to Bluegrass trail system that will cross southern Virginia.

Hikers should meet at 10:00 a.m. at the eastern terminus of the trail, located on Hackberry Road (GPS coordinates: North 36°37'28.37" West 79°11'58.44"). Trip coordinator Paul Johnson advises, "Wear stout shoes, dress in layers and bring lunch, water, a camera and a good hiking stick." All participants will be asked to sign a waiver form.

Directions:

From South Boston, travel west on U.S. 58 about 3 miles past the intersection of Highway 119 to Hackberry Road. Turn right. Travel 3.2 miles to the trailhead on the left, just past a large body of open water.

From Danville, travel east on U.S. 58. About 3.9 miles past the traffic signal at the intersection of state Highway 62 turn left on Hackberry Road. Travel 3.2 miles to the trailhead on the left, just past a large body of open water.

Further information: Paul Johnson, 434-579-7599 or kpauljohnson@yahoo.com

Nearing the Finish Line...

More than six months in the making, the Historic Fieldale Iron Bridge Preservation Project is almost complete! As of today the most labor intensive process of the project, lead abatement, has been completed. We are now watching the weather and waiting to mount the trusses at their new location along the Fieldale Trail.

A lot of activity has gone on during the past several months. After seeking quotes from service providers in June our committee determined that the project would cost approximately $12,000. Thanks to support from history buffs and Fieldale fans like you, more than $12,600 was raised through the sale of memorial plaques! Many businesses and community partners have contributed to the project by donating services or providing them at reduced costs. These donations have exceeded the project cash outlay by more than 120%!

During Thanksgiving Week, staff from Boxley Materials of Fieldale poured and formed concrete footers to mount the trusses to. The footers were designed by Rayford Smith, a structural engineer from Martinsville. The quick work of Boxley's qualified staff allowed them to complete this portion of the project prior to Huricaine Ida coming into town. During the storm, the waters rose in the Smith River and Jordan Creek began coming out of its banks but the bridge site remained dry!

Since then, staff from Dishman Environmental of Danville have been busily working on removing 71-years worth of paint from the structure. This firm was chosen for the job because of their enviromentally friendly removal methods that produce no dust. As each section of truss was cleaned, crews from Reliable Welding of Bassett moved in to weld and modify the trusses.  The entire time that this work has been going on, Northpoint Trading, an import/export firm located at the former Fieldcrest Mill, has been our gracious host allowing the trusses to be stored on their property. 

 

In early December, I finally got the call that I had been waiting on...the crews were ready to flip the trusses! Hall's Mechanical Services of Fieldale brought in a crane and rigged up each truss to it so that they could be turned over, allowing the workers to clean/modify the opposite side. In addition to the welding, Reliable has also been preparing small keepsake pieces of the bridge for donors who purchased plaques at the $250 level. (If you purchased one of these plaques, your keepsake will arrive via mail in 1-2 weeks.)

Now that the end of December is upon us, the cleaning and welding is complete. Yay! Now what? We wait...and wonder...will it snow again this weekend?  This uncertainty in the weather (and 12" of snow)caused us to miss our first deadline of having the trusses installed by Christmas.

I am by no means an expert in construction and have learned so much during this process, thanks to the friendly contractors who have taken the time to educate me as they worked. One lesson that I have learned is that cranes are incredibly heavy and soil conditions have to be just right before setting them up to work. Corky Hall, owner of Hall's Mechanical, is presently checking the site each day to evaluate the conditions. We either need a day where the sun has dried up the soil well from all the rain/snow/ice or we need a day when the ground is frozen solid. Which ever day comes first- we'll be ready!

Watch for the action to happen soon as Hall's Mechanical loads the trusses onto a tractor trailer provided by Craddock Logging Supply and Repair of Ridgeway. Staff from the Virginia Department of Transportation will provide a safety escort for the oversize load and Reliable Welding will secure the trusses to their new foundation along the Fieldale Trail.  After that monumentous day, touch up painting of the truss will be performed by Stefan Moore, a painter from Myrtle Beach with Fieldale roots and a love for the Iron Bridge. (I've got to give a shout out to the staff at Martinsville's Sherwin Williams store who have been incredibly helpful in suggesting paint products that are both durable and environmentally friendly.)

Frith Construction will then roll out gravel along Phase III of the Fieldale Trail. Plaques, printed by Martinsville Engraving, will be mounted to the trusses and landscaping that serves as a rain garden will be added to the site by Prillaman Landscape Dimensions of Ridgeway. A comfortable bench and educational signage will top it all off.

Once these details are complete a dedication ceremoney will be held at the site to honor all who have participated in the project and to remember Bobby Craddock, a generous sponsor who passed away prior to the project being completed.

We're almost to the finish line! Soon visitors to Fieldale will be able to stop by the Fieldale Trail and Iron Bridge to learn about the rich heritage of this community while enjoying the recreational opportunites provided there.  Residents will be able to take their children and grandchildren to the site to share stories and tidbits of nostalgia. Much history has been centered around the old iron bridge- from the big dance in 1932 and the great flood of 1937 to the inventive decorations displayed by Halloween pumpkin thieves back in the day (we know who you are!) and the more recent Christmas lights provided by the Fieldale Heritage Committe. Thanks to the support of all the project sponsors, these amazing stories will continue to live on.

Special thanks to all the sponsors, Henry County, and the Iron Bridge Committee members. Your support, guidance, and advice throughout this project have been tremendous!
-Jennifer Doss, Rivers & Trails Project Manager
(soon to be Volunteer Iron Bridge Coordinator)

New Year's Resolutions

As the end of another decade draws near, I along with others all over the world are thinking about New Year resolutions for 2010.  Some common resolutions that I have heard in the past include:

-- increase activity level to lose weight or become more healthy
--save money
--reduce stress
--make new friends
--find a meaningful activity to contribute time to

--spend more time together as a family

--become more green and help the environment

--give back to the community

We make resolutions each year and often have a difficult time following through. The fact is that there is a cause right here in our own backyard that will enable a person to EASILY accomplish ALL those resolutions and more. (Psst...It's more fun than a gym membership too!)

The Adopt-a-Trail program was established by the Dan River Basin Association in May 2009 in partnership with Henry County Parks and Recreation, Martinsvillle Parks & Recreation and the City of Eden. Since the program's development, four teams have been established with more than fourty volunteers and similar programs are being created in the North Carolina Counties of Stokes and Caswell.  The first official AAT team in Henry County was "Friends of the Fieldale Trail". This group of friends and neighbors is led by team captain Paula Wyatt and maintains three miles of shared-use trail in Fieldale, Virginia. Members include: Charles & Pat Dameron, Nancy & Tracy Kennett, Glenda Scott, Benny & Pam Setliff, Ronny Tranthum, Tommy, Chris, Beth Wyatt and Joan Ragland.

“We fell in love with the Fieldale Trail the first time we walked the trail. The river is such an asset—it is so stress relieving to sit on the benches and listen to the water. We also like the flowers and trees on the trail. It’s a wonderful experience for families, whether walking, biking, jogging or bicycling.” – Pat Dameron

"Friends of the Gravely Nature Preserve" is led by Martin Gardner (shown above with his wife Ginger and sons Will & Jackson) and helps to maintain two and a half miles of hiking trails in Henry County's first interpretive park. Team members also include: Doug Foley, Neil Tatum, and Louis & Campbell Pitzer.

The trails at Doe Run Park are adopted by scouts from Girl Scout Troop 691 and their families. The group is led by team captain Jenniffer Jamison. Youth also help maintain the Uptown Spur Trail as it is adopted by the Boys & Girls Club of the Blue Ridge (shown at right) and members of the Martinsville Uptown Revitalization Association (MURA).

All of these volunteers make a commitment of visiting their adopted trail a minimum of eight times per year. They pick up trash, remove debris from the trail, interact with trail users and work on elective special projects chosen by the team captains. "Friends of the Gravely Nature Preserve" have spent the fall working on a half mile extension of the Rhododendron Trail to create more hiking opportunities and "Friends of the Fieldale Trail" have helped Henry County Parks & Recreation to acquire a dispenser for doggie bags so that walkers can clean up after their canine friends.

“I love to give back to the community and volunteering is one way to do that. The trail is a good way to meet people, get exercise and see nature.” –Paula Wyatt

The program is fun, easy and a good way to accomplish all of your new year's resolutions. As I make my departure from being a DRBA staff member in the new year. I am renewing my dues as a member of DRBA and signing up to join an Adopt-a-Trail team at the trail closest to my home. This is an incredibly worthwhile program and proves that many hands working together can accomplish great things!

I challenge you to give it a try and Adopt-a-Trail in 2010. You won't be disapointed! To learn more about the program, join us at an informative meeting on Thursday, January 7th, 6pm at the Henry County Administration Building (3300 Kings Mountain Road Collinsville).

Jennifer Doss Accepts Tourism Director Postion

Join us in congratulating Jennifer Doss on accepting a new position as
Martinsville/Henry County Director of Tourism!
http://www.martinsvillebulletin.com/article.cfm?ID=21822

Jennifer's enthusiasm, inventiveness and dedication have produced dramatic results in the past two years as Dan River Basins Rivers and Trails Project Manager.  Working under a grant from the Harvest Foundation, Jennifer's accomplishments have been innovative and exciting, providing enhanced recreational opportunities for our community and river basin and providing new opportunities that have never been available in our area.
Just a few of the many, many accomplishments in the past 2 years:

• Development of the 75 acre Gravely Nature Preserve, Henry County's only interpretive park

• 2 new river access on the Smith River

• Preserving the historic Burgess Family Cemetery on Old Mill Road

•  Development and implementaion of the "Adopt a Trails Program"

•  Completion of the Fieldale Trail Phase II

• The Fieldale Iron Bridge historic preservation Project

•  Smith River Fest 2008- 2009
  

Although Jennifer will be greatly missed as a member of "Team DRBA", we are excited that she has chose to remain in Henry County and will still be a very active part of the goals we are working on together in our region.  Jenn will be continue as member of the Rivers and Trails Board and we look forward to working closely with her in the future.  We wish her the best of luck at her new position. (goodbye Tigger)

Brian Williams

Volunteers Honored at Dinner

Wayne Kirkpatrick, DRBA's President, welcomes everyone to the dinner.

Having a small staff of only eight, the Dan River Basin Association (DRBA) is very grateful for all the wonderful volunteers that help us to acheive our mission of preserving and promoting the natural and cultural resources of the Dan River basin. Volunteers come in all forms, from those who contribute goods/services, participate in steering commitee meetings, lead trips, monitor water quality and maintain trails. Recently DRBA hosted approximately sixty of our wonderful volunteers at a dinner to thank them for their contributions over the past year. Enjoy the following photos from the dinner held at Spencer Penn Center in Spencer, VA.

Brian Williams, DRBA's Outreach, Education and Conservation
Coordinator, addresses the crowd about the importance of volunteerism to DRBA.

From left: Paul May, Linda Drage, Jenny Edwards (DRBA's Virginia Program Manager) and Mary Lawson

From left: Vicky & Wade Nester and Benny Summerlin

From left: Paula Wyatt, Joan Ragland, Nancy Moncrief, Andrew Kahle, Tracy Kennett and Tommy Wyatt

From left: C.D. Prillaman, Trent Fentress and T Butler

From left: Milton Hundley, Mike & Joan Shahan and Linda Hundley

From left: Wes Craddock, Deborah Craddock and Brian Williams

T Butler, DRBA's board secretary and a founding member thanks all the volunteers for their contributions.

New River Access Opens

The addition of a new canoe and kayak ramp on the Smith River increases the total of official access locations to an unprecedented number for our region. The Dan River Basin Association (DRBA) and their Martinsville-Henry County Rivers & Trails Group is pleased to announce the opening of the newest access ramp at Mitchell Road Bridge in Axton, bringing the total to nine Smith River access sites across Henry County.

A 2008 survey of canoeists and kayakers across Virginia and North Carolina indicated that the section of river from Marrowbone Creek to Mitchell Road Bridge was the second most popular segment on the Smith River. This stretch of river is also very popular with float fishermen as well as canoe and kayak outfitters.

The Henry County Public Service Authority began construction of the Mitchell Bridge access in early December for Henry County Parks & Recreation, with planning assistance from the Dan River Basin Association. The access is located upstream, river-left of the bridge and has ample parking for vehicles and shuttle vans to safely handle boats and passengers. Educational signage planned for the site in the spring will provide information on the area’s natural assets.

The access also received some enhancements thanks to support from Patrick Henry Correctional Unit #28 and Prillaman Landscape Dimensions. Inmates from the prison removed litter and cleared the access area. Crews from Prillaman Landscape Dimensions planted nearly one hundred native trees and shrubs around the parking area and along the shoreline. Junipers, sycamores, tulip poplars, and sweet gum trees are featured, as well as a number of butterfly attractant shrubs including spice bush, red twig dogwood, button bush, witch hazel, three types of willow (goat, banker and black), choke berry, service berry, and fragrant sumac.

According to Brian Williams, Outreach and Education Coordinator for DRBA, "The plantings at the access ramps not only provide shade and beautification but will also protect the river banks from erosion. The trees and shrubs are part of a larger campaign to protect water quality in the region by increasing streamside buffers which absorb pollutants before they reach the river and reduce sediment pollution by keeping erosion in check."

Funding for these plantings was provided by ticket sales and donations from the first annual Smith River Film Festival at the Rives Theater in September and also from a re-showing of the films held at Philpott Lake in November. DRBA would like to thank all who participated in these events.

Photos by Jennifer Doss

Walk for Fitness, Walk for Fun, Walk with Friends!

TMS Participants take a walk around Liberty Fair Mall

Have you walked for fitness today? There are many miles of walking paths and places to walk located around Martisnville & Henry County that are free for you to enjoy. 

If you want to get out and enjoy the trails with others, consider joining a walking group like DRBA's Tuesday Morning Strolls. These walks are an excelent way for individuals to socialize, get fit and learn more about the community all at the same time.

In December, the group met indoors at Liberty Fair Mall to walk five laps around the shopping center. While on the walk, led by Jennifer Doss & Regenia Manns, the participants learned about National Poinsettia Day which is celebrated on December 12th. Linda Crabtree won a prize for knowing the answer to the day's trivia question. Do you know what country the Poinsettia came from? It's Mexico!

At the end of the walk everyone who had participated in four or more walks for the second half of 2009 was entered into a drawing. Bill Crabtree, who had attended almost every walk this year, won the prize pack consisting of a Dick & Willie Passage T-shirt, a DRBA notepad, and a $25 Visa Gift Card to spend at Liberty Fair Mall.

Starting in 2010 the group will meet twice a month on the first and third Tuesdays of each month.  All walks begin at 9 am and are open to everyone. Join us on January 5th as we walk the Fieldale Trail located at  3521 South River Road in Fieldale. Each walk that you participate in throughout the year will gain you one entry into the big end of the year drawing. Complete all the walks and you'll have 23 chances to win!

Tuesday Morning Strolls is a program developed by DRBA and this will be it's third year. The program is a partnership between DRBA, Henry County Parks & Recreation, Activate Martinsville-Henry County, and Martinsville Parks & Recreation. The program is funded with support from the Harvest Foundation. For a compete list of upcoming walks, contact DRBA at 276-634-2591 or drba.va@danriver.org.