Friends of Oak Hill Newsletter
If you have been over to see the activity at Oak Hill in the past couple of weeks you know that there is a lot of work underway, and significant progress on all fronts. Here are some of the highlights:
1. Lighting. Poles have been placed along the entire length of the course, and lights have been installed on many. Power has been run through conduit, much of it requiring trenching through rock. Graham Webster of Webster and Donovan, Korry and the Royal Electric crew have been driving hard to get the system installed and tested as soon as possible.
2. New trail/hill cut-off. Feedback from many of you following the season indicated a desire for a more moderate trail that would avoid the most extreme hills. With generous support from the Byrne Foundation, the crew has completed a cut-off trail that runs above the ski jump to avoid the downhill out of the stadium and the subsequent uphill to the top of the north loop.
3. Parking lot. Perhaps the most noticeable improvement is the expansion, regrading, and paving of the parking lot. Dartmouth managed and funded the bulk of this part of the project. The lot includes lighting and electrical hook-ups that will take the place of noisy and polluting team generators during race events. We will all appreciate a solid base and mud-free walk to the trail head. A special shout-out of appreciation to Dartmouth (and project manager Tim McNamara) is in order for making this happen!
4. Trail repair and re-seeding. Trails were completed late in the year in 2024 and the grass had a limited opportunity to set its roots. Heavy rains and snow melt during and after the season caused some erosion that needed repair. And the new trail cut-off needed grading and seeding. Over the past two weeks, the crew has been grading, seeding, and blowing hay to establish a more solid base of grass that will hold up during future years.
5. Equipment shed. The foundation has been poured and steel is being erected for the new equipment shed that will house our grooming and other maintenance equipment. The construction is well underway and will allow us to clean up the area and put all of our equipment under roof prior to the start of the season.
6. Warming hut. The base for the warming hut foundation has been prepared and construction will start later this summer.
Mike and Korry are on site every day. Their constant prodding and supervision have kept these multiple projects on track. Peter and Matt have been on site frequently to help out, at least until Mike and Korry chase them away.
We appreciate all the help from Dartmouth and community members who have offered their support. Without you, none of this would be possible.
Below are pictures of the progress, but come on by for a closer look.
The Oak Hill Team
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