NATURE EDUCATION CENTER UPGRADE PROJECTS

ENTRANCES: Informational Signage

Completed.

Each of the 13 public entrances will receive new entrance signage, kiosks for temporary protection from the elements and an information board as well as a "you are here" map to educate our visitors on subjects related to their Nature Center visit.

TRAILS: Upgrade Trails

Completed.

All of the trails and outlook vistas will be trimmed, roots removed or covered as appropriate, wet areas drained or flowage rerouted, culverted or bridged. Trail surfaces will be hardened with #5 fines wherever possible and necessary. Trails will be recontoured to remove erosive action by Mother nature's rain and spring thaw cycles.

SIGNAGE: A New Face with New Signs:

Completed.

Signage and Blazes will be upgraded on all trails throughout the Nature Center.

BRIDGES: Wider and Safer Bridges Across Whitney Creek

Completed.

The North and South bridges over Whitney Brook will be replaced during June of 2006 by the CONY Sports Boosters and their volunteers as part of an agreement to permit a running and skiing trail through the Nature Center for the student sports program at the new CONY. The Middle Bridge upgrade project is unfunded at this time. The Maine Conservation Corps has rebuilt the middle bridge to its original condition.

CONY RUNNING AND SKIING TRACK: Reconfigured Trail Around the Perimeter of the Nature Center

Completed.

CONY Sports Boosters and the City of Augusta will recontour over 2 miles of trail and manage that same trail for student and public use for interscholastic events and recreational activities promoting good health.

ROCK STEP BUILDING: New Stone Staircase

Ongoing project in May each year for 7 years:

The Maine Conservation Corps will establish a "train the trainers" site next to Deadmans Cave where they will train their managers on how to cut and move 2 ton granite blocks. This program will not only educate the managers in how to cut granite with hand tools but to move the massive blocks with block and tackle and construct a stone staircase that will eventually connect 2 of the Nature Center trails.

BRUCE'S WOODS: New Accessible Trail:

Not scheduled to begin yet:

The trails in Bruce's Woods that encircle the student rope climbing center will be regraded and resurfaced to accommodate wheelchair accessibility. The trail will include a new overlook feature above the lovely Lily Pond. At this time, this project is unfunded. If you are interested in helping us attain this goal, please ask.