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Winter 2002 News
Summer-Fall 2002 News
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| Trail Improvements
Underway |
O n June 1st 2002,
National Trails Day was observed at Paris Mountain
State Park. However, the park staff and a group of volunteers did not wait
until National Trails Day to begin work on new trails at the park.
A new connector route is being constructed from Buckhorn Gate to
Brissey Ridge. The construction of this connector route will create two
loops at the top of the mountain.
The goal is for these new trails to shed water, not collect water. Few
of the existing trails meet this criteria. Most of the trails on Paris
Mountain State Park currently act as a channel for water, creating erosion
and the steep grades. The new trails will have more gradual grades, will
not create erosion problems and should require less maintenance.
Rangers Jim Stanton and Ty Houck with the Dingo. |
Once the two
loops are completed and re-routes selected to make these two loops
more sustainable, work will focus on building a connector trail from
Lake Placid up to the Buckhorn Gate. When that is completed, work
will begin on a trail system on the back side of the park to include
the newly acquired watershed property. These are long term goals.
This should result in trails that are moreaccessible to a larger
variety of people.
Those of us that have been working on the new trail connector
have developed a healthy appreciation for what it would take to hand
build all of these trails. Fortunately, Ty and PRT were able to
secure the services of a dingo (a walk-behind bulldozer). The
Friends group plans to assist in renting the dingo again for future
trail projects. You too can help build the trails. Call the Park or
Tom Dudley (242-4899). |
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Fourth Saturday Programs
Different
At
our Fourth Saturday Program in May, there were 16 children and 9 adults to
learn about Microscopic Wonders. We went on a nature hunt then brought
interesting finds back to our lab in the old bathhouse, where we inspected
our critters under our video microscope. The children were fascinated to
discover what a spittle bug looks like under his cover of foam.
In June, our Fourth Saturday Program was hosted by Rick Huffman with a
slide show and walking tour featuring indigenous plants in the Park. He
emphasized the advantages of using native plants around the home to take
advantage of their unique adaptations to the soil and our climate. In a
short time, these plants get established and provide a virtually work
free, natural setting.
On the trail to the amphitheater, Rick pointed out
numerous plants in the moist land along the lake shore and in the dryer,
shadier areas in the woods. Some of these plants have long been used by
Indians as remedies for a variety of ailments. Others have curious
properties such as the Sensitive Briar whose leaves fold up when lightly
touched. Rick gave us a wealth of information and provided us with a list
of many plants that are excellent choices for around the home.
All Fourth Saturday programs are at 10 AM. Let the park know if you’re
bringing a large group.
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| Forest Ecology Classes
Added |
Our Forest
Ecology program is off and running after 3 pilot classes with Paris
Elementary students. This program guides students through an
exploration of the forest and its components. We study the
oak-hickory forest and we section off one square meter and dig into
the forest floor to discover how ecology works.
Elayne Finkelstein and Linda Sisson helped edit and teach the
program. Volunteers Marie Burgess, Susan Young, Seth Harrison, Ann
Marie Barbrey and Kathy Taylor joined our team of mentors for the
learners. |
Volunteer helpers and
observers are always welcome.
The program will be offered to all public and private fifth
grades starting in Sept. Call the park at 244-5565 to make a
reservation. |
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Perfect Friends Day
The
3rd Annual Friends Day was welcomed in by a cool, cloudy Saturday
morning. Even with rain in the forecast and numerous other events in
and around the Greenville area, we had an attendance of over 900.
The most popular event for all ages
was boating and canoeing on Lake Placid. The adults enjoyed tai-chi,
while folks of all ages enjoyed the performance of the Paris
Elementary School Chorus. Paris Elementary 5th graders also taught
the Aquatic ecology to interested visitors.
Our food vendors had plenty of
sandwiches and drinks. This year we produced T-Shirts and greeting
cards that were a big hit. If you missed it, the T-Shirts are still
available. |
We also
gained quite a few new members. Remember that your Friends donations
are due on Friends Day.
Thanks
to all event sponsors, volunteers, support staff and participants
for making Friends Day a success!
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| Friends Initiates
Teacher’s Institute |
Three
members of the Friends board wrote and received a grant for a
Governor’s School for Excellence in Teaching Math and Science
Institute for high school teachers. The two sessions of the
Institute will be housed at Camp Buckhorn in July.
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Furman
University’s office of Graduate Studies and five professors
are collaborating with Friends to provide this extraordinary
experience for our state teachers. Math and Science teaching
teams from all over the state will attend to explore ways of
integrating math and science at their school. Each teacher
will take home at least $500 worth of technology equipment of
their choice to use in the classroom. |
Participants
will explore Aquatic Ecology, Forest Ecology and math skills.
Overhead for the program will be low because we will be using
equipment which was purchased by Friends and Leadership Greenville
for ecology classes at the park. Your Friends board is putting your
donations to creative use!
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Want to help build the trails?
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Talk about building the
future! This is the perfect Community Service Project for a
group. Bring your gloves and work shoes.
Call and we’ll arrange when the rangers can work with you. Call the
Park (244-5565) or Tom Dudley (242-4899). |
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We
enjoy and have really used our Flex Cam. It is a great
tool for examining small items in our Forest and Aquatic Ecology
classes. It simply plugs into a monitor and allows a roomful of
people to see the little creature, plant or rock.
Because of the
grant money, this is one of the tools that will be available for the
Teaching Institute attendees to take back to their schools. |
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Thanks, Friends!
| Teachers &
Coordinators:
For
piloting the Forest Ecology program: Linda Sisson, Marie Burgess, Susan
Young, Mary Lou Jones, Seth Harrison, Kathy Taylor, Elayne
Finkelstein, Anne Marie Barbrey & the Paris
Elementary 5th graders
For
our Fourth Saturday programs: Marge Sciezka, Ty Houck, Judy Mcinnis,
Rick Huffman, Teresa Meddlin, Brody Davis.
To
Wayne Bower for his work at Camp Buckhorn...and the wonderful
folks that helped on Friends Day. |
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Events CALENDAR
• Hiking Essentials July 27
• Native Americans Aug 24
• Sketch Walk Sept 28
• Sky Wonders Oct 26
• Trail Day Oct 26
• Arbor Day Dec 7
• Tree IDs Dec 28
All programs start at 10 am except for Sky Wonders. The programs are free
with Friends membership. Check the web site for more info.
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Paris Mtn. State Park Friends
P.O. Box 3791
Greenville, SC 29608
Join the FRIENDS |
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