It's been a battle, but I want to catch you all up with the status of the bridge project. It's been quite the journey, but we re upon a landmark time for Harrybrooke Park. 
To catch everyone up, the bridge was declared unsafe in November of 2021. This was due to a self imposed inspection. You see in 2018 we performed a routine safety inspection. We were told in 2018 that it passed, but they recommended we revisit it in five years to see the progression. 
While there is no official record to the bridge, we estimate it was built after the flood of 1955. This was the second bridge built in that location. The first was built by Frank Harden between 1941 and 1943. It was washed out and we are estimating that was in the great flood that decimated the town. 
So in November 2021, we decided to have it checked early, prior to the anticipated five-year plan. Upon inspection, the steel holding up the bridge had become detached on the Lanesville Road side. It was recommended we close it to all traffic to salvage the strength it still had. 
The quotes given from the engineers were massive. Almost six million dollars to replace the bridge. Unfathomable. Since we are recognized as a historic property by the state, we asked if restoration was possible. After drilling, we were told that it would be an option, dropping the estimate to $1.94 million. Still a very difficult number for us to absorb.
We asked if there could be any temporary fix and were told yes, and a cost of $126,000 in the estimate. This would be a temporary fix that we are told can last two to three years. 
Most people do not realize that Harrybrooke Park is a nonprofit 501c3 and not a municipal or state park. This makes it even more difficult to raise the dollars or to find grants, which we are doing almost daily. 
We reached out to the community as the park is "The People's Park" to ask for your help in restoration. While every dollar counts, in the last 6 months we have raised just $2,400 from general donation. It was very generous, but far short of our goal of $126,000. 
Luckily, Mayor Pete Bass stepped in to offer assistance in this temporary fix. With the recent American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, the town could allocate the $126,000 to the park to pay for the temporary fix. This would allow us to remain open for upcoming events, weddings and regular pavilion rentals, allowing us to maintain the small amount of revenue we have to keep the park open.
In the meantime we are discussing the use of state ARPA funds with Governor Lamont's office as well in the hopes of state support and funding to cross that finish line. This takes time but the wheels are in motion.
In the meantime, a contractor has been chosen and will begin restoration next week! We are hopeful that the project can be completed prior to Memorial Day, but the contractor is confident that it will certainly be done by the end of the month with a firm My 30th finish time. 
So this all means that we will re-open the regular routine pretty soon. Thank you all for your ongoing support and understanding. Within a couple weeks, let's hope we are driving on the bridge :)
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Well, I just noticed that we have ignored this blog for a year so I now know my resolution for 2022 I guess. Tomorrow night we bid adieu to a year many of us are happy to see go. A second year of a pandemic, a second year of shortages and fear ... yet here we stand, facing the next year already. It seems like only yesterday where we couldn't get toilet paper or Lysol. We still fight for quotes from contractors who are all backed up, but more on that later. 
So with two years of chaos, fear and turmoil, I still say THANK YOU. We are able to move forward because of the strength we find in each other.  Speaking for the park itself, we are able to see more change and growth thanks to you. Your support is not JUST appreciated but vital to the our survival. We do not just look to survive, but thrive into 2022. Here are a few things on tap, a hope chest of sorts, for Harrybrooke Park. 
The bridge 
The bridge leaving the park (once the entrance) is a large focus this year. We have recently done some tests on the footings and are waiting the results from the engineers. In the next 4 years or so, we must address the need to restore or (God forbid) replace the bridge. Frank Harden built the bridge when he first moved in back in 1942. I have photos of its construction. The bridge was washed out once (perhaps in the flood of 55?) and rebuilt. It has not bee worked on since, hence our 4 ton weight limit. We hope to have a solution on what we are able to do bout it this year. 
The pond
When i was a child coming to this park in the 70's, the pond was about 12-15 feet deep. Now it sits at about 4 feet deep. Silt, needles and goose poop have truly filled it up. We are awaiting a quote (busy contractors) to dredge the pond this summer if we are lucky. It's a priority for us, but we must time it properly and are still awaiting the permitting as well. 
The Conn area bathroom building
If you haven't noticed, the bathrooms are updated a bit by the Conn pavilion. This is thanks to several people who made the project happen and come to completion. Home Depot made some generous fixture donations, Mike Hopp of Hammertime framed and drywalled while Kenny Barron did all of the plumbing. Deak Electric ran the wiring and our own Craig (our park caregiver) finished with painting and securing the fixtures. A collaborative team effort leaned it up a lot, but there is work to be done. Oh and all of the contracting work? Donated. Amazing. 
The building itself needs to be cleaned and painted. The other half of the structure we are getting quotes on currently (busy contractors) and hope to make into a small kitchenette and serving bar for rental. This will go well with our wedding caterers too!
The barn (big garage)
As many of you know Craig by now (coming into his third season as our care-giver) you'll notice the work he does. Beautification of the park is only second to his safety awareness. He has cleared the two back bays to convert them into a carpentry workshop. He will be planing and painting the picnic tables from around the park. We have 52 tables. Insane right? Many of them need work so this is his "side project" that will take some time. 
That bay is not heated.The barn is not heated. SO BIG THANKS to Bob O'Rourke who told us about a program we qualified for. Then to our friends at Marandola Fuel who have arranged a furnace to be donated to the park to heat that back two-bay garage. The project is already underway and Craig should have heat out there in a matter of weeks. 

These are just a few examples of what is in store this year. Along with hopes of painting restoration, possibly expanding the barn, upgrading equipment, replantings, general upkeep and restoration ... we have a lot planned. 
All of this happens with what equated to about 10,000 hours of volunteer work here each year. Our garden club did an amazing job in 2021 with the Harden Garden as it looked brilliant. They return for even more stunning results expected.
We also have a very special team of three who care for our pea-family every day. Jill, Theresa and Becky ... we can't thank you enough.
And finally, each of you who have given time and/or dollars to the park. We cannot be what we are without you. God bless you and we look forward to all that 2022 brings as we are truly blessed. 
-BIlly Buckbee
Executive Director
​12/30/21