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Fairfield trail work continues

Morning Journal/Larry Shields The Headwaters Nature Trail project that designates the beginning of Mill Creek in Fairfield Township will see Phase I completed, possibly by August.

COLUMBIANA — Fairfield Township trustees hired Yarian Brothers to build the observation deck for Phase I of the Headwaters Nature Trail under construction behind the government building at 3062 Fairfield School Road.

The New Waterford company was the only bid on the $16,000 project.

Two benches will be placed at the observation deck overlook at the designated beginning of Mill Creek. Yarian is donating one, while M.E. Supply of Columbiana is donating the other.

Trustee Barry Miner has led the way on the project that includes Boy Scout and Girl Scout contributions.

Miner said with parts of Phase I completed, residents and guests are welcome to take advantage of the nature trail now, even without the finished access paths that will be donated by Hillcrest Excavating owned by John Gross.

“They can come out now. We mowed it,” Miner said. “This is what it’s there for. People are more than welcome to come out and walk it.”

Hillcrest Excavating will donate the equipment and time build the ADA compliant path to the deck.

“We’re very fortunate,” Miner said of having local contractors helping.

An access path from the small pavilion to the message center will also be set in place using black-top grindings to make a hard surface that will accommodate wheelchair visitors.

“We wanted to add a component for someone wanting to view it under disability … they could do that,” he said.

He explained that with donated time being used, scheduling the work will be at the contractor’s discretion, and the weather.

“Hopefully by August,” Miner said regarding the completion of Phase I.

He noted the trail is a full quarter-mile and expects to have additional signs in place along it next week.

There are still a couple of projects that would make nice Eagle Scout projects, Miner said, explaining the township purchased six benches and all they need is labor and concrete.

“The locations are laid out,” he said, “and the benches are already purchased and need to be installed.

“We’re open to any type of community service, anyone–that’s why I envisioned this project.”

The second project is laying mulch along the inside of a treeline.

“The township allocated to purchase that,” he said, which should take care of Phase I.

Phase II, which will include more trail clearing, bridge construction, trail marking and bench installation, is scheduled for 2019.

Miner estimated the total cost for the Headwaters Nature Trail at $25,000.

lshields@salemnews.net

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