It is time to start up the Fall FMST Eno River workdays!

Our first workday is Saturday September 28^th, meeting at 9AM-2PM at 317 Omega Road. We have various projects working on this segment of the MST -repairing trail, completing a short trail reroute to move the trail away from the sewer line, removing trash, removing invasive species.

This past spring Durham Water Management mowed a 10 foot wide easement along the River Forest section, a vast improvement over the 30 -50 foot wide easement they had mowed in the past. Thus next January/February we will be able to plant native trees out in this area to help restore the area and provide more shade for the trail.

For this workday you will need to wear work clothes you can get dirty, boots or solid shoes, and bring sunscreen, insect repellent, water. Bring lunch if you plan to work into the afternoon. In the event of adverse weather the workday will be canceled or postponed, and an email to this effect will be sent out.

Tools will be provided

On a related issue I am looking for a volunteer to help on a specific project. At Old Oxford Road the MST crosses the rather narrow, busy road bridge across the Eno. An alternative route would be to go under the bridge, down the river a short distance, and cross the river on a very nice old railroad bridge that has not been used for decades though is still owned by Norfolk Southern. At one point the City of Durham looked into buying this old rail line for a rails to trails project. Several times over the years I have looked into this again without success. I am rather busy, so I would like to find someone who can look into this with the City of Durham Parks and Rec, the Durham Trails and open space committee, Army Corps of Engineers who own the surrounding land, and Norfolk Southern, and possibly others. Moving the trail of the road at this location will be a huge improvement in the trail. Let me know if you are interested.

See you on the trail!

Fred

For more information or to RSVP email to fred.dietrich@duke.edu