Bridge at Klemgard sees repairs

A 30-year-old log foot bridge on the trail at Klemgard Park is being replaced by county park crew members and volunteers. The bridge tilted over during the winter. It crosses a creek about a half mile up the trail.

Klemgard park is a 69-acre county park on Union Flat Creek.

Park ranger Dave Mahan has been working with park board members and other volunteers to haul in the materials needed to repair the foot bridge. Last Friday, eight people packed in lumber and other supplies on the Klemgard trail.

“Just put it on your back and power up there,” said Mahan.

Myers noted they carried in 23 sacks of concrete mix on their backs. They also brought in three 24-foot 6 X 6 beams for the main support of the bridge span. Their new bridge, once complete, will be three feet wide and 24 feet long.

“You can’t fall off,” Myers said.

The original log across the creek was installed more than 35 years ago, Myers estimated.

“One end of it was rotted and breaking off. It just got to the point where it wasn’t safe anymore,” he said. One of the wooden supports beneath the bridge crumbled in the past two years.

Mahan plans to work on and off with the project during the coming weeks and will welcome volunteer help.