Roaring River CCC stonework project progressing
Above is some of the stonework that was originally constructed by CCC workers decades ago. The stonework restoration is an historical conservation project at Roaring River State Park.
October 16, 2019
Charlea Estes-Jones
As Roaring River State Park fishing season winds down to catch-and-release, other projects are also finishing up. Earlier this season, the park began a major renovation of the original stonework put in place by the CCC along pathways
The project began over the summer and an outside company was brought in to reset the original CCC stone in retaining walls in certain areas of the park near the cabins as well as re-pouring the sidewalk from the CCC Lodge to near the entrance of Deer Leap Trail. The stone work along at each entrance of Deer Leap Trail will also be reset.
The project will preserve as much of the original stone as possible, and the remaining stone that will need to be replaced is actually being mined from the original quarry used when the pathways and retaining walls were built.
Roaring River State Park natural resources manager Joel Topham said parts of the project are already complete, and if the weather cooperates, they will be able to begin some of the other project, initially slated for March through May, to begin in November instead. Doing the project right was the state's priority. He said, "It's well thought-out and we want to stay really true and accurate to the stone that was laid there."