Walkability in all weather and all seasons is both a standard and a point of pride on Bainbridge Island's public trails system. The unsung heroes in this effort: those who move gravel load by load to fill low spots, keep puddling at bay, and ensure surety of tread for all who may pass.
That's yards of gravel. Yards and yards of gravel.
Yards and yards and yards of gravel.
"If we've got construction projects, we could go through 30 yards of gravel in a year," says Brandan Davidson, of Bainbridge Metro Parks' trails team, surveying the bins of variously sized crushed rock at the district's Battle Point materials yard.
All those rocks have to get from Battle Point to the island's far-flung parks, thence to the remotest reaches of the island's 49-plus miles of trails. To date, covering this "last mile" has fallen largely upon stout backs and a technology not much changed since the Romans were building roads: the wheelbarrow.
But this being the new age of electrification, rechargeable lithium-battery power has come even to the common barrow. So the Bainbridge Island Parks & Trails Foundation has gifted a rechargeable electric materials cart – trade name: "EGO Max," by the Great Britain-based Muck Truck company – to the Park District for its trail-building program and Summer Trails Crew.
The self-powered cart can (in relative terms) whisk 8 cubic feet of gravel (up to 800 pounds) in a single load, its four rugged tires negotiating all paths and grades with ease. More loads, greater efficiency, less operator fatigue. Better trails for all. More hikes for you, even in winter. Atmospheric rivers be darned.
"Our trails team works endlessly to ensure Bainbridge's trails are ready to hike – rain or shine," says Lydia Roush, Division Director for Bainbridge Metro Parks. "We're grateful for the Foundation's support, andrecognize what an incredible gift the Muck Truck is to our staff and our community."
