by Rachel Stewart
Published September 2011
Published September 2011
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| Signs at Swains Lock Above - Picnic area sign. Below - Campsite sign. Note: The signs were given fresh paint. Some were repaired and firmly re-set in the appropriate locations. Photos by Geordie Newman. |
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In late March Geordie and I checked the site; we found two day-use areas and five campsites. The day-use areas should have had a grill and a picnic table, but there were no tables (one was in the creek, broken, and is still there). Each campsite should have a grill, picnic table, and fire ring. Only one had all three. Three sites lacked at least one of these items. One campsite had only a sign.
Nineteen of Jim Heins's VIPs showed up for the first cleanup. Skip Magee came early and mowed all the areas where we would be working. He also weed-whacked around tree trunks, signposts, and grill posts. He works harder than anyone else I know and always with a smile. We hauled, spread and tamped four tons of stone dust as pads for the picnic tables. We cleaned, wire-brushed and painted the fire rings and grills. We sanded and painted the tables, locking them down to prevent vandals or the river from carrying them off. Some grills and signs were dug up and reset in better places. We installed new fire rings and/or grills where they were missing. Lastly, we painted the signs. One campsite has a very shabby table. Geordie Newman is trying his best to get a new one for us. On July 15 nine of us cleaned tables, shoveled ash and debris from fire rings and grills, picked up trash, mowed the grass and, alas, disturbed the occupants of several tents. We cut away a swath of kudzu invading the access to the site. We appreciate the help of all members who can assist with this continuing stewardship. Thanks go to Geordie Newman for the photos below.
