Sturbridge Boy Scout Chris Sutter has taken a major step towards earning the rank of Eagle Scout by completing his required service project -- making upgrades and repairs to the Quinebaug River water trail and Lake Siog Pass hiking trail head parking lot located at 20 Pond Bridge Road in Holland, Massachusetts.
This trail head parking lot is owned and managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in partnership with the town of Holland Trail Committee and The Last Green Valley. This trail head parking lot is the start of the 5-mile section of the nationally designated recreational Quinebaug River Water Trail, and the starting point for the 2-mile Lake Siog Pass hiking trail that connects to the Grand Trunk Trail, a part of the regional 66-mile Titanic Rail Trail. Sutter's project, which took a little more than four Saturdays to complete, included brush and invasive plant removal, creation of a 40' x 25' grassed canoe and kayak set out area, sign relocation, and installation of 50 feet of wooden guard rail and an interpretive kiosk. Sutter was assisted by family and friends along with members of Boy Scout Troop 161 of Sturbridge.
Park Ranger Tom Chamberland, who worked with Sutter as the project collaborator, said, "because of the varied nature of this project, Chris was challenged to make sure all aspects of this project came together on one completion day. He was determined to see that that this project was finished this year and not carried over into next spring. The new guard rail looks great and the newly installed lawn area will create a safe area for water trail users to set and prepare to launch without being in the way of traffic using the parking lot. I congratulate Chris on a job well done."
The guard rail, loam, seed and new signs were supplied by the Corps of Engineers. The new interpretive panel and trail map for the Quinebaug River water trail kiosk was provided by The Last Green Valley.