ANF North Country Trail kiosks refurbished
WARREN — Volunteers with the Allegheny National Forest (ANF) Chapter have been working to refurbish its 13 trailhead kiosks along the North Country Trail.
The work actually started in fall 2022, as trail coordinators discussed what to focus on in 2023 and beyond. One issue that came up was the need to refurbish several of the 13 kiosks. It was decided to survey the kiosks in 2023 to determine the scope of work that needed to be done for each one.
Last fall, refurbishment of the kiosks began.
The main work involved replacing the backing board that the interpretive map panel and informative posters hung on. The framing boards for the backing board and any other failing wood were also replaced at the same time. Then the kiosk was stained brown and its North Country Trail lettering was painted blaze blue. One volunteer, Doug Mangold, commented, “We replaced years of rot and insect damage and brightened up the kiosk, making it more visible.”
The Forest Service helped by contributing the lumber, tools and a new map needed for the project. They bought 3/4inch treated plywood for the backing boards, 4-inch by 4-inch treated posts for some failing lumber and several gallons of brown stain. A cordless circular saw, bought for the chapter by the Forest Service, helped to cut the lumber in the field. The Forest Service also funded a new interpretive map panel for the Branch Road kiosk.
This new map showed a major trail reroute and the addition of a new shelter. The National Center for Telecommunication Technology (NCTA) Geographic Information System (GIS) staff provided the updated map for the panel.
The effort to rehabilitate the kiosks will continue this spring. In April, volunteers will tear down and replace the oldest kiosk. Later in the spring, they will stain two newer kiosks that did not need any wood replaced on them. Mike Toole, trail team leader, said, “It’s good to upgrade the kiosks with treated lumber so that they will last longer. I always have fun refurbishing trail structures and seeing how great they look.”
