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."
He said, "Currently, we are finishing up sidewalks and the stonework along cabins one through three will be finished up within the next couple days and done with them by at least the 17th or 18th of October. Then, they are already done with the retaining wall by the river itself, and they are complete with the sidewalk from the spring to the CCC lodge. All they need to finish that part is to bring in some fill dirt and sod it, which will be finished by the end of the month."
The stonework restoration along the entrances to Deer Leap is finished, and up next will be the retaining wall behind the CCC Lodge.
The final leg of the project is the sidewalk along cabins four through nine. That part of the project was originally expected to be complete in summer 2020. However, Topham said it could potentially be a little sooner. He said, "If the temperatures are still cooperative, they are going to start on some of the sidewalk on cabins four through nine. If the temperature goes too cold, they'll have to pull off of that and restart that in March. Around March 8 through May 15 was the plan for those cabins if the weather isn't cooperative. If it's too cold, the mortar won't set right."
None of the work would disrupt Opening Day proceedings. While the original plan was to not disrupt cabin rentals during the process, cabins weren't available during the sidewalk renovation process.
Topham shared the importance of the restorative work to the park. He said, "The value of the project is that it continues the legacy of the CCC work. It preserves the historic value of it for future generations. It's kind of our job to preserve the legacy that our predecessors have done here. We want to keep it alive and keep it alive refreshed and new.
"In my opinion, the value is priceless."
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."
He said, "Currently, we are finishing up sidewalks and the stonework along cabins one through three will be finished up within the next couple days and done with them by at least the 17th or 18th of October. Then, they are already done with the retaining wall by the river itself, and they are complete with the sidewalk from the spring to the CCC lodge. All they need to finish that part is to bring in some fill dirt and sod it, which will be finished by the end of the month."
The stonework restoration along the entrances to Deer Leap is finished, and up next will be the retaining wall behind the CCC Lodge.
The final leg of the project is the sidewalk along cabins four through nine. That part of the project was originally expected to be complete in summer 2020. However, Topham said it could potentially be a little sooner. He said, "If the temperatures are still cooperative, they are going to start on some of the sidewalk on cabins four through nine. If the temperature goes too cold, they'll have to pull off of that and restart that in March. Around March 8 through May 15 was the plan for those cabins if the weather isn't cooperative. If it's too cold, the mortar won't set right."
None of the work would disrupt Opening Day proceedings. While the original plan was to not disrupt cabin rentals during the process, cabins weren't available during the sidewalk renovation process.
Topham shared the importance of the restorative work to the park. He said, "The value of the project is that it continues the legacy of the CCC work. It preserves the historic value of it for future generations. It's kind of our job to preserve the legacy that our predecessors have done here. We want to keep it alive and keep it alive refreshed and new.
"In my opinion, the value is priceless."
