Council to Recognize the Narragansett Tree Society, Boy Scout Troop 2 for Canonchet Trail Efforts

The Narragansett Town Council will recognize the efforts of the Narragansett Tree Society and Boy Scout Troop 2 on Monday night in rehabilitating Canonchet Trail, a 100-year-old foot path in Canonchet Farm.

For the past three years, the Narragansett Tree Society has maintained the trail under an Adopt-a-Spot agreement with the Town of Narragansett. Volunteers from the Tree Society mow the trail, clear overhanging brush, remove fallen branches and litter, and clear fallen trees on a bi-weekly schedule. During the remainder of the year, the trail is maintained on a schedule dictated by need.

Last winter 18 volunteers spent 171 hours in building 92 sections that were eventually assembled into 21 wooden boardwalks, ranging in length from one to 10 sections (eight to 80 feet) to cover the 21 mud holes along the trail. Bends in the boardwalks were filled with custom-made wedge-shaped blocks, and each end of each boardwalk were terminated with a 32-inch long ramp to bring the five inch high boardwalk safely to ground level.

The boardwalk project was funded by private donations and a $4,000 grant from the Narragansett Preservation and Improvement Association, a fund created to assist Narragansett with capital improvements. The Tree Society is seeking an additional $1,000 to cover unforeseen costs.

On April 1, the construction was completed and moved from two storage locations to Canonchet Farm. Two Boy Scouts from Troop 2, Mitchell Champlin for the installation, and Matthew Matrullo for the ramps and bends, also contributed to the boardwalk project. Seeking to fulfill their requirements for Eagle Scout rank, the scouts transported all the boardwalk sections to Canonchet and helped install six of the boardwalks consisting of 22 sections as one project.

They also constructed and installed 42 ramps and 12 bends as another project. The Eagle Scout candidates completed their project on July 1. The Narragansett Tree Society installed 15 boardwalks from 70 sections, and managed the four storage locations at the heads of feeder trails along which the 92 sections were transported to the trail to be assembled.

The Canonchet Trail has existed in one form or another for more than 100 years. The present trail utilizes former foot paths, cow paths, farm roads and driveways that have been in continuous use, even after the town purchased the property in 1979. However, the trail always suffered from inconsistent maintenance.

Shock projects by the Boy Scouts of Troop 2 have rescued the trail from the brink of extinction several times. Their boardwalks were successful in keeping feet dry, but covered only a few of the mud holes at the trail’s western end. The rest of the mud holes were covered by scrap lumber of every description that was brought to the site by trail users. The Narragansett Tree Society’s regular maintenance routine assures that the trail and boardwalks extend the trail to four-season use.

To celebrate the completion of the boardwalk project, a ribbon cutting ceremony will be held on the front lawn of the South County Museum on Saturday, July 23 at 9 a.m. After a few words of dedication, visitors will be offered coffee and donuts, and a guided walk along the trail.

To reach the South County Museum, take Strathmore Street from the corner of Narragansett Avenue and Kingstown Road, through the stone arches to the Canonchet Farms development. Take the first left after the arches and proceed through the gates at the far side of the cul-de-sac. Parking is located in the lot to the right.

For more information regarding the Canonchet Farm Trail and the completion of the boardwalk project, please contact Bill Bivona at 783-4391.

Release courtesy of the Town of Narragansett.