Rock Island Volunteers Building Foot Bridge

Volunteers will takeover Rock Island State Park Saturday to start building a new wooden foot bridge.

Park Ranger Ethan Greene said the bridge will lead to a new trail being added to the western side of the park. Greene said the bridge will be about twenty feet long but may be adjusted to fit the ideal crossing point over the small stream in the area.

“So we’ll definitely be hands-on this Saturday,” Greene said. “We’ll probably be doing some bedding on the trail, establish some of the foundational elements to the bridge and then we hope to start construction. We probably will not finish the bridge this Saturday but it’s going to be a great leap into getting materials down there and getting the bridge started.”

Greene said volunteers should bring sturdy shoes, long pants, and water but all the tools they need will be provided. The event is one of several volunteer efforts happening at parks across the state thanks to First Lady Maria Lee’s Tennessee Serves initiative.

Volunteers will meet at 10:00am at the park’s tennis court parking lot.

“I’m really hoping that this encourages some new folks to come out and explore a new trail,” Greene said. “Also hope that it makes it easier for some folks who may not be used to hiking to sort of access these areas a bit more easier.”

Greene said it seems like their volunteer events always bring in more new people who are passionate about the park.

“It’s exciting any time we get to work on a project like this,” Greene said. “And it’s even more exciting when we have folks who are in our community who want to take part of it to come give us a helping hand.”

Greene said the new trail currently being developed will contain several new overlooks and viewsheds for hikers to enjoy.

“We’re really excited to get that open and this project furthers that goal,” Greene said.

Greene said anyone interested in helping with the bridge should call the park office at (931) 837-4770 so park staff knows how many supplies they need to prepare.