Culbertson restoring walking trail

CULBERTSON -- Culbertson residents are going to try it a second time.

In 2001 and 2002, residents raised enough local money to forego grants to build the "Two Rivers Walking Trail" that traces the Frenchman River along the southern edge of their community.

This spring, flood waters ripped out the wooden footbridge that created the entrance to the one-mile paved walking trail. Volunteers who coordinated the trail's creation five years ago were devastated. So many people use the trail. Would they want to volunteer time, labor and materials -- again -- to build it, again?

They've decided to try it again.

Ken Carfield, chairman of the Two Rivers Walking Trail Committee, told the Hitchcock County News that the committee wants to raise $3,500 to build and install a 55-foot steel footbridge to replace the 35-foot wooden footbridge damaged by the flood, and to repair erosion at the trail's west end.

The new bridge's wood planking and wood handrails would complement the original bridge, which would be used as an approach to the new bridge.

Donations can be made at the Culbertson Bank, or by contracting Carfield.

People interested in the restoration project are encouraged to attend committee meetings on the second Thursday of each month, at 7 p.m., in the Culbertson fire barn.