For the past year, staff and volunteers have been hard at work repairing and replacing sections of the 100-foot-long Sharon Mountain Preserve bog bridge. Built seven years ago from native ash harvested on site, this bridge connects trails on the east and west sides of the preserve into a beloved 1.5-mile loop. Unfortunately, over 25% of the bridge has rotted and been replaced, with even more sections now failing. But all is not lost.
Late this summer, the stewardship committee decided to repair and replace the log mud sills that sit in the delicate wetland and the long log stringers that users walk on with a more durable three-foot wide boardwalk. We recently applied to the town’s Inland Wetlands Commission for approval of the repair and were granted permission to proceed. Thanks to an incredible, anonymous donor, over 1.4 tons of milled lumber was gifted for the project. Volunteers and staff have spent the last several months hauling materials into the preserve, cutting lumber, and preparing for construction.
Tomorrow, we begin building the new boardwalk. Due to the delicate ecosystem, and the complexity of the build, the bog bridge area will be closed to the public until this project is complete. We are fortunate to have an amazing group of volunteers helping, but we estimate the build will take several weeks to complete. The loop trail sections along the east and west sides of the preserve will remain open, as well as spur trails to the East Street, Bowne Road, and Tichnor Road trailheads.
Staff and volunteers spend thousands of hours every year to help protect and maintain preserves and their trails, including projects like this. Please consider supporting our work by volunteering or donating so that we can continue to provide the best outdoor experiences for Sharon and the northwest corner.
