Local group clears paths in Poland Municipal Forest

May 8, 2016 at 12:05a.m.

POLAND

If you have spent time recently in Poland Municipal Forest and thought a few things looked a little different, your imagination has not taken a hike.

“This trail looked like this an hour ago,” Bill Mentzer of Canfield said, comparing a path he and several others had covered with leaves and debris, with an adjoining, unobstructed trail.

Mentzer was among six Rust Belt Revival Trail Coalition members who spent much of Saturday morning reclaiming, rerouting and clearing portions or all of several trails that meander through the 265-acre wooded area at the end of College Street. The six followed guidelines and directions the Poland Forest Board had set forth.

The 4-year-old nonprofit trail coalition is a

community-oriented group of largely mountain-bike riders dedicated to building and improving trails for mountain-bike access, as well as for hiking, walking, jogging and other similar purposes, noted Ron Jandrokovic of Boardman, treasurer.

The coalition also is affiliated with the International Mountain Bicycling Association, a 28-year-old educational and advocacy organization committed to creating, enhancing and promoting mountain-biking experiences.

Also taking part in the restoration work were Chuck Boyer, RBRTC’s president; Eric Davidson, another member; and volunteers Jeff Ludt of Columbiana and Mike Chalmers of Wexford, Pa.

“It makes it fun if you feel like a kid again,” Jandrokovic said of biking on trails and in natural surroundings.

At one point, the six raked leaves over and added branches and small logs to a path in an effort to return the trail to its natural state. They used a rake, an ax and a hoe with a metal blade sharp enough to cut through thick tree roots. Group members also tilled the soil, which will set the stage for plant growth to fill in over time.

The work was necessary because part of the path wandered onto private property, explained Davidson, of North Lima, adding that RBRTC members also have done trail-building and restoration projects in Beaver Creek and Lake Milton state parks.

The 100-year-old suburban forest also is known for its abundance of bluebells, which were at their peak a few weeks ago. Even though the popular plants’ color has faded, many were still in bloom as the six men went to work on Tornado Trail, which is challenging for many walkers and bicyclers because of its sharp turns, muddy dips and abundance of exposed, entangled tree roots.

There, Boyer used a chain saw to cut and help remove part of a fallen tree that had blocked the path. Then they raked leaves and debris off to the side while Davidson cut from a nearby tree several small branches that would have grown over and obstructed the pathway.

A short time later, the workers raised part of a nearby rickety boardwalk after one of the men noticed next to it a metal spike that could be potentially hazardous for bikers. They also took out several roots before lowering the wooded boardwalk and replacing the dirt to stabilize the planks.

Besides wanting to beautify and preserve trails for a host of recreational endeavors, part of the lure of doing such projects is working with park officials and communities, Davidson said.

“It’s [also] nice to forget the everyday stuff,” he added.

To assist or to make a donation, go to www.rbrtc.com.