The Kid's bridge to Huntley will be back in action soon with a little help from the community
You can make a difference
Good Afternoon Norwich and Upper valley readers,
This story is about the plans to build a bridge that once spanned above the water at Blood brook and went from behind the American legion and over to the Huntley Meadow Fields. There are plans in place to replace this bridge with a little help from the community.
Here is an “image” of what the new Kids Bridge will look like.
And here is a short write-up and some photos about the original bridge which was a Eagle scout project in 1992.
This sign was at the entrance to the bridge
Scott on the bridge swaying this way to pose for this photo
And Scott looking back at the Legion side entrance path, and yes this bridge sways both ways! ( It was made to sway they say! )
I asked Scott Miller to weigh in on the original bridge project as he was the one who built it as his Eagle Scout Service project. ( photo’s of the original bridge are courtesy of Scott Miller).
Here is what Scott has to say:
The original suspension bridge spanning blood brook was designed and built by Norwich resident Scott Miller in 1992. Scott built the bridge as his Eagle Scout Service Project, which entails garnering support from community members and approval from the town Select board.
Legion Bridge, as it was named, spanned 52’ and hung 13’ above the water. Two strong trees formed the footings and supported two sets of cables, lower cables supporting the wood deck and upper cables supporting the chain-link fence railing. The design was based on the Golden Gate, and passed an engineering review prior to construction.
The bridge bounced and swayed merrily with foot traffic for twenty summers until Tropical Storm Irene undermined one of the tree-footings on the north bank, causing the tree to lean and the bridge to sag. The Town removed Legion Bridge in 2012.
And now some 20 + years after the first bridge was built there is an effort and plan put in place to replace it. One of the fundraisers for this bridge is Don McCabe. I met with him recently at the Norwich Inn to discuss the project.
I caught up with Don at the Norwich Inn for a nice friendly chat about the Kid’s bridge project.
A photo of Don at the so called fountain of youth
Don recently posted the below two posts on the Norwich Listserv about the bridge plans, so I will let him tell the story with his posts in his own words.
14. What Kids Say
From: Don McCabe <don-mccabe@comcast.net>
Date: Wed, 23 Aug 2023 15:11:28 -0400
When I ask kids what they think of a bridge named after them, to be assembled at Huntley Meadow, and to make it safer and more fun to get to their sports programs, they say, as Finn did, “Wow! I can’t wait to use it.”
Or, as Damian said, “You mean, a special bridge for us? Can I take my bike over it?”
“Yes” to both kids if we raise enough donations to make it happen this building season.
Kids Bridge Project
PO Box 805
Norwich VT 05055
Sent from my iPad
.
14. Put Yourself In This Picture
From: Don McCabe <don-mccabe@comcast.net>
Date: Thu, 17 Aug 2023 14:33:49 -0400
It’s October. The leaves are blazing in full color. The air is crisp and cool. You're on a bike path with your kids and it takes you to Huntley Meadow. You make your first crossing on a beautiful new pedestrian/bike bridge over Blood Brook for your kid’s sports program. Or your Fall picnic.
“What a great town!", you say to your kids. "This bridge was given to us as a gift by the people who raised the money, and the volunteers who built it.”
This is a story you can share if the Kids Bridge project meets our fundraising goal. We are 60% there but need to reach a threshold of 90% before construction can start. Select board and town manager approvals are secured. Permits are in place. Contractors and members of the Trails committee are ready to build. And you can make it possible to complete this picture. If you have already contributed we thank you. If you are thinking about it now is the time to act. Support this all volunteer community initiative by sending your tax deductible gift to:
Kids Bridge Project
PO Box 805
Norwich VT 05055
Please make your check payable to Town of Norwich. The town manager will deposit it in the designated account and you will receive confirmation of your gift.
For the Kids Bridge team,
Thank You
Don McCabe
Thanks to Don for spearheading this fundraising campaign and now please read below to see the motion that was approved and passed at a recent Select board meeting.
I have included the motion in the minutes from the 7/26/2023 Select board meeting which will show that the topic discussion and motion that was approved and passed by the board.
Agenda Item # 7. Kids’ Bridge request for fundraising approval. Arnold moved to approve the solicitation of funds up to twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000) by Don McCabe for the “Kids Bridge” initiative as presented, such funds to be appropriately accounted for by the Finance Office and available for the Kids Bridge project. Seconded by Layton. Four, Yes; Smith, No. Motion passed.
Thanks for reading and supporting my newsletter.
Demo Sofronas for About Norwich.