WALLA WALLA, Wash. – The paved trail on the north side of Mill Creek -- from Rooks Park to the metal bridge at the office parking lot -- will be temporarily closed to all visitors Monday through Wednesday, March 17-20, from 7 a.m.to 4 p.m., to accommodate the pruning and\or removal of selected hazardous trees along the trail, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers officials at the Mill Creek Office announced today.
Some vegetation maintenance near the entrance to Rooks Park will also occur at this time. Barricades and caution tape will be put up to alert visitors to the closure to allow contractors access with equipment to prune and cut selected trees that pose safety risks to visitors. A $2,400 contract for the work was awarded to Home Orchard and Tree Care or Walla Walla, Wash.
“Both foot bridges across Mill Creek will be open during work hours, and the trail will be reopened after the work is concluded each day, said Mill Creek Project Park Ranger Chris Alford. “We hate to have these temporary closures just as the weather is starting to warm up, but this work is necessary to reduce the risk of certain old, storm-damaged or diseased trees falling on visitors using the trail.”
For more information about this project or for general information about Mill Creek Dam and Bennington Lake, call the Mill Creek Office at 527-7160 or visit their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/millcreekdam.
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Release no. 14-015