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Eagle Scout to build pedestrian bridge, board approves completion deadline
Summary
The Parks Board approved an Eagle Scout-led project to build a 30-foot boardwalk-style pedestrian and bicycle bridge and a short connector trail near Strube Loop on Casper Mountain; materials fundraising and construction will be led by the scout and volunteers, with an estimated $20,000 in materials and labor donated by partners.
The Natrona County Parks Board voted to allow an Eagle Scout project to build a 30-foot pedestrian-and-bicycle boardwalk bridge and a short connector trail near Strube Loop on Casper Mountain, with the project to be completed by the end of the year.
The project, presented by Austin Burgess of the Central Wyoming Trails Alliance and Jacob Bridal, an Eagle Scout candidate, would build a bridge over the Elkhorn drainage to connect users to a beginner loop and to keep pedestrians and cyclists off a stretch of Strube Loop where users currently must ride or walk on the road.
The bridge and connector are outside but consistent with the county—s Kaelin Master Plan. Austin Burgess said Central Wyoming Trails Alliance will provide operating support and that Bridal, the Eagle Scout, will lead 100 percent of fundraising and volunteer coordination. "This will cost the county zero," Burgess said. Bridal said the project fulfills his Eagle Scout community-project requirement and that he chose the site because he grew up using the mountain trails.
Parks staff described technical aspects of the build. Michael Brown, parks director, said the structure is being designed to follow United States Forest Service guidelines for grade and load; the bridge will use ground-contact treated timbers (CCA-treated 6-by-6 for abutments) and site-treated, treated decking rather than poured concrete. Burgess estimated material costs of about $5,000 for the bridge and $15,000 for machine-built trail construction, with hand finishing by volunteers.
After questions from board members about schedule and construction methods, Board Member Jim Veil moved to approve the project on the condition it be completed by year-end or return to the board for an update; the board approved the motion by voice vote.
The board asked staff to track progress and to expect a follow-up report when construction is finished.
Votes and next steps: the board approved the Eagle Scout bridge and connector; the applicant expects to begin fundraising and to start construction in September 2025, pending permit coordination and volunteer scheduling.
