Building Bridges at Mount Pisgah Arboretum
Posted: Thu, Jul 25 2013 12:00 am
On Saturday, July 20, 2013 staff from Essex General Construction and Wildish contributed their expertise and labor on the Adkison Bridge replacement at Mount Pisgah Arboretum. Together they constructed and stabilized trusses and put them in place. This was a critical step in helping the Arboretum replace the bridge.
For 26 years, the 94 foot long bridge, named after local environmental leader Vern Adkison, provided a critical link in the popular Water Garden trail network. It also served as a gathering place for visitors exploring this unique habitat, including the more than three thousand school children who take part in the Arboretum's guided field trips each year. The bridge is an ideal location to observe western pond turtles, waterfowl, vibrant plant life, and all the other natural wonders that comprise this wetland ecosystem.
However, years of exposure to weather and insects have taken their toll. In 2009 the bridge was condemned and closed to all visitors. Replacing the Adkison Bridge is crucial to reestablishing easy access to the Water Garden's many trails and other features.
More help is needed. We encourage other members of the community to support the Arboretum's Bridges and Trails campaign. Priority projects include repair or replacement of several important footbridges; trail improvements and construction; and interpretive components such as directional signs and improved trail maps.
