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11.09.2007
The parking lot at the Mt. Shasta Nordic Center has recently been improved in preparation for the upcoming ski season. The project, which began last fall, was undertaken for two reasons: safety and accessibility.
The tree islands that divided the parking lot into two sections were removed last December. A number of trees were considered unhealthy or high-risk in windstorms. Removal improved safety, reduced the risks posed to cars and skiers, and made snow removal more efficient. As an additional benefit, it increased the number of cars that can be parked in the lot, improving accessibility to the Nordic Center!
The project involved a cooperative effort and a huge investment of time and energy on many fronts. The Forest Service initiated the project, anticipating the Mountain Thin project scheduled in the Nordic Center area. Timber Products, the company which will be performing the thin operation, agreed to remove the parking lot trees in advance of the thin project. The clearing that was created will serve both as the Nordic Center parking area in the winter and as a landing for the thin operation.
Following on the heels of the timber removal, Mt. Shasta Nordic Ski Organization sent an elite squad of volunteer labor to accompany machinery provided by Timberworks, and spent a day in the rain & slush clearing the mess of branches and debris.
A week later, Timberworks returned, using a backhoe to clear the big stumps, which were ground below grade by Gaven Glanzer of Professional Stump Grinding. Gaven spent two-and-a-half hard days whittling away at some massive stumps: some of the multi-tree clusters represented a 12-foot diameter mass of wood that needed to be removed.
Stump removal complete, Timberworks was back with a loader. Timberworks owner Buzz Knight did the honors of filling in the holes and leveling the ground to reveal a first look at the new lot. Sousa Ready Mix dropped off several loads of donated base rock to fill and cover the “new” sections. The next morning, 6 inches of fresh snow covered everything in a level expanse of white!
The ground froze before the work was quite finished, however, and any Nordic skiers who ventured into the parking lot last spring surely remember the mud holes where the trees were removed. The ground had a chance to compact during last summer, however, setting up the last stage of the project. In October, the parking area received a top dressing of fresh gravel. Sousa Ready Mix donated 10 loads of base rock, which were hauled and graded by Timberworks. The finished product now awaits the arrival of snow—and shortly thereafter, throngs of Nordic skiers!
“The parking lot project is one small glimpse of the vigor of community support for the Nordic Center,” notes MSNSO president Sean Doyle. “That we accomplished this thanks to the coordination, enthusiasm, and generosity of local businesses and citizens demonstrates the attributes that are truly inspiring about our community.”
“Mt. Shasta Nordic Ski Organization would like to extend its thanks to all who donated and volunteered to make this project possible, with special appreciation to Buzz Knight, Timberworks, Sousa Ready Mix, and Weed Building Supply & Rental Center.”
Entering its second winter of operating the Nordic Center, Mt. Shasta Nordic Ski Organization will keep access to the Nordic Center trails open to all: use of the groomed trails will continue to be donation-based. “Community support is essential,” states Doyle, “but we believe that the community will compel itself to make the monetary and volunteer contributions necessary to ensure that our treasured Nordic Center will continue to thrive.” Mt. Shasta Nordic is currently conducting its annual membership drive for the 2007 / 2008 season; membership is open to anyone with an interest in Nordic skiing. Funding from membership dues and donations go to support annual organizational and Nordic Center operations. More information and membership forms can be found at www.mtshastanordic.org.
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