90: Description: FLT passing through a wet area

Concern: Trail is wet, confirming soils data showing poor drainage and suitability for trails. Although some areas have been boardwalked they are not continuous and there is evidence of uses avoiding, likely due to its width.

Recommended action: Maintenance. Complete closure of this trail is unfeasible because it would remove the only viable link to the northern part of the park. Combine this segment of the FLT with an emergency access trail suitable for ATVs, as called for by the draft master plan. A causeway would need to be constructed 5’ wide. Good trail aesthetics can be obtained by laying out a sinuous route that follows the highest ground possible. Rather than using culverts prone to clogging use armored dips to allow cross drainage.

The causway would be constructed on a raised bed 5-6’ wide. Excavate down to mineral soil. Use large stone 6-12” to create a 12-24” deep bed with a 6” cap of 1/2” to dust aggregate. In certain wet areas the rock bed may need to be much deeper. As a raised causeway is also a dam the drainage patterns will be changed. Use drainage dips to avoid any pooling on the upslope side of the causeway.