Conservation director: Morgan Creek Trail faces change orders; lodge and playground work moving ahead

Dennis Gomat, conservation director, gave a project‑by‑project update to the board on Sept. 23, reporting that the Morgan Creek Trail has required multiple change orders after crews encountered sandier soils than projected. "If we're gonna get the trail finished this year, it needs to happen in the next 6 weeks or so," Gomat told supervisors, calling the timeline 'crunch time.'

He said the Pennequin Ridge gravity‑park section completed earlier this season and that local builders will finish remaining trail sections this fall and into next spring. Gomat noted the Morgan Creek Wetland preconstruction meeting has not yet occurred but that contracts and agreements are in place and construction could begin after a neighboring farmer harvests crops.

Gomat singled out Morgan Creek Lodge as his chief concern, reporting a building package expected Oct. 6 that would allow crews to erect a structural frame and enclose the facility so construction can continue through winter. He also described distribution of an adaptive track chair and reported that playground shade materials had arrived and crews temporarily closed a portion of the park for installation.

The director invited supervisors to a volunteer recognition dinner Oct. 23 at WikiUp and reminded the board that campground winterization typically begins in mid‑October when low overnight temperatures force water shutoffs.

Supervisors praised conservation staff for community engagement and interdepartmental cooperation; no formal votes were taken on these items during the presentation.