Fundraising for next section continues
TINA L. SCOTT
EDITOR
Sierra Pacific has donated $24,122 to the Friends of the River Bend Trail to complete the scenic overlook to be placed on the trail in the exact spot where the old bridge and road once connected to the north side of the Wisconsin River from Hwy. K south of Merrill. Friends of the River Bend Trail are hopeful work can begin soon now that the funding is in place. Cement work, lights, and railing will be the primary components of the project.
Fundraising continues for the Lincoln Wood stretch of the trail
The Friends of the River Bend Trail continue to raise money for the new section of trail behind Lincoln Wood Products. This will be to pay for the trail, lights, and fencing.
Unfortunately, some costs have risen drastically.
“The trail has been cleared and the gravel base is in place. We will be paving the trail this construction season,” said Greg Hartwig, Vice President of the Board of Directors for the River District Development Foundation Board. He said he recently received the estimate for that section of the trail to be built and paved. That came in at $182,000.
The lights now cost approximately $5,000 each, and 13 or 14 lights will be needed for this section of trail according to Hartwig. So lights are “estimated at $80,000-$90,000.”
Further, “part of the agreement for the easement which Lincoln Wood gave us, is to install a fence along the property by their factory,” he said. “The cost of the fence is approximately $25,000.”
All told, that’s a cost of nearly $300,000 for this section of the trail.
“Our fundraising is based on different levels of donations from people, businesses, and organizations,” Hartwig said. “We will recognize donors on a sign at the start of that section of trail by West Main Street. Minimum donation to be on the sign is $100. There will be recognition for various levels of giving: $100, $250, $500, $1000, and $2500 or more.”
“Levels of giving are based on logging terms and logging jobs,” he shared. A $100 donation is at the Feller level, $250 is the Water Slinger level, $500 is the Birler level, $1,000 is the Lumberjack level, and $2,500+ is the Timber Baron level. So anyone can become a Merrill Timber Baron for just a $2,500 investment!
“We already have a couple donations!” Hartwig said.
“The completion of this section of trail will give us 5.54 miles of trail from Culvers to the Council Grounds State Park,” he added. “We are hoping to have many visitors from the Council Grounds using this trail to enjoy our city and visit our businesses along the way.”
Anyone wishing to donate, can mail or deliver a check to the Merrill Chamber of Commerce, 705 N Center Ave, Merrill, WI 54452, and designate their donation to the “Lincoln Wood section of trail.”