In the first step towards some of the larger improvements for the Kewash Nature Trail, the Washington County Conservation Board has begun a project to clear vegetation around Willow Pond. Conservation Director Steve Anderson explains, the ultimate goal is to pave a large section of the trail utilizing a Transportation Alternative Program (TAP) grant, and the clearing project will make it easier to do that down the line. The clearing has already begun, so Anderson advises patrons to stay away from the area they’re currently working on. He says, “During that process, obviously for safety purposes, we are closing that little segment of the trail. There’s literally debris flying in every direction as this machine works. And obviously we don’t want anyone to get tangled up with that.”

The section of trail currently being worked on extends west from Willow Pond to the next road. Anderson says the clearing project should take a couple days, and in the meantime they’ll have fences and road closed signs to remind people to stay out of the area. Once the project is done, they’ll begin planting different vegetation around the trail, which Anderson promises will be more interesting and appealing to the eye.