At first eleven seemed to be the magic number, as we once again had eleven workers for our monthly “Second Saturday” Work Day and our “before photo.” (We are typically too bedraggled and camera-shy for an “after photo!”) However, we soon grew to an even dozen as Tony Facenda arrived to help out. Fortunately, donuts were still available when Tony arrived!
The most labor-intensive task was hauling milled asphalt from the parking lot to an area on the south side of the Audubon Trail, where we will install two interpretive panels. Audubon has been awarded a grant for $10K for four new panels for Newhall. Vice-Chair Lynn Hodgson identified the location for these two before she headed north for the summer. With two dump carts and a wheelbarrow, Jim Reynolds, Hilton Klein, and Logan Cambron hauled the milled asphalt to the sign site, where John Grobe, Rylie Tillman, Kristin Cambron, and Tony Facenda raked and tamped the milled asphalt into submission.
Committee Members David and Julia Buzzard and Thaddaeus Rios undertook the back-bending task of repainting roots along the Audubon trail to assist in wheelchair accessibility. The process involved blowing and brushing the exposed roots and then painting them with “safety blue” paint. Julia also painted the reflector post for the new “people counter” described below.
Fearless leader Clemens and Karen Lucey removed a sign the Committee had deemed unnecessary and straightened signs which had developed serious leaning issues. They then harvested logs to frame a small tree in the new interpretive panel site as well as to line paths in the parking lot pollinator garden.
Our next Newhall Work Day is Saturday July 8th from 8:30 to 10 AM. RSVPs to rclemens318@gmail.com are appreciated, but not necessary.
We are trying to get a grant to resurface the trail to reduce trip hazards and to make it more accessible for wheelchairs and strollers!
In other news, our summer intern, Rylie Tillman, started as an afternoon greeter for Newhall late last month. She will also assist the Audubon team at the Juneteenth Celebration at Mitchellville on Saturday June 17th. We’re hoping Rylie will encourage visitors to add entries to our visitors log and perhaps add some funds to our donation post.
Recently our Vice-Chair and resident engineer, Matt Mattoon (assisted by your Fearless Leader), installed a “people counter,” which logs passing visitors who break its infrared beam. Our visitor counts support the grant applications we submit to improve the Preserve and to print our trail guides and birding brochures.
We always welcome questions and suggestions regarding Newhall and those can be sent to Bob at rclemens318@gmail.com or Co-Chair Jack Coleman at jjcolema@iupui.edu.