Farm Brook Trail Benches
Chloé likes walking along a trail system in her
community, Farm Brook Trails, that is used year-round for hiking and
snowshoeing. Chloé observed that a lot of older and elderly people use
the trails, especially in the winter months, and that they were having
difficulty due to accessibility. Chloé learned that many people had to
put on their snowshoes in the icy parking lot while holding onto their
vehicles, which was not very safe for the older snowshoers. Chloé
decided that the best way to address this issue for the community was
to build and install a series of benches throughout the trail for her
Silver Award project.
Chloé worked with local hardware
and lumber stores to determine the most effective and durable design
of the benches, spending time researching different materials
including wood, hardware, and stains that would hold up to the frigid
and snowy Maine winters. The benches were strategically placed along
the trails so that people could sit and put on their snowshoes without
the fear of slipping or so that people could simply sit down if they
were feeling tired or needed a break.
In addition to the
benches, Chloé installed signs by them stating their purpose. She also
installed log-books on the benches which allowed her to assess how
many people were using the benches and the impact that her project was
having. Chloé has received requests from others to build similar
benches for them and is most excited about the impact her project is
having on the community.
When asked what she learned
through her project, Chloé says “things take time. It will not be
completed in a weekend. I learned that I can do it, just give it a try.”
Silver Award Girl Scout, Chloé Ruest
01 Apr 2020
