A Long-Awaited, 350-foot Lodi Marsh Boardwalk is Complete!

Volunteers wasted no time utilizing built sections of the boardwalk to more easily navigate the marsh as they finished construction. Photo by Riley Dupee.
Volunteers wasted no time utilizing built sections of the boardwalk to more easily navigate the marsh as they finished construction. Photo by Riley Dupee.

In typical April fashion, 40 volunteers experienced all four seasons over three workdays. Each day brought a surprise. Would it rain or snow? Who would lose a boot to the marsh? The only thing volunteers knew for certain: two-inch thick, white oak deck boards are heavier than they look. Nevertheless, they tackled it all with good humor – laughter was as common a sound as the squelching of muck boots.

Volunteers donated 1,160 hours to build an artistically designed boardwalk constructed of beautiful, rough-sawn, white oak boards providing durability and superior traction. It also features a custom-designed circular bump-out offering a view into the wetland and a safe place for hikers to pass one another. This unique boardwalk is a gem – hike the Lodi Marsh Segment and see it for yourself.

Volunteers leveled out depressions from the soft marshy earth where metal pans would be placed to support the boardwalk. Photo by Justine Kapitzke.
Volunteers leveled out depressions from the soft marshy earth where metal pans would be placed to support the boardwalk. Photo by Justine Kapitzke.
No one-trip wonders here; two-inch thick white oak deck boards are heavier than they look. Photo by Justine Kapitzke.
No one-trip wonders here; two-inch thick white oak deck boards are heavier than they look. Photo by Justine Kapitzke.

For making this project possible, special thanks to:

  • A $10,000 Two for the Trails grant, a program of Athletic Brewing Co., the nation’s leading non-alcoholic craft brewery, helped fund the boardwalk.
  • Thomas Ferrella – his generosity enabled us to upgrade the wood used for the Lodi Marsh boardwalk build. Rough-sawn white oak. It’s better for wetlands (less chemicals) and better for hikers (better traction).
  • The Dane County and Lodi Valley Chapter members – they helped build boardwalk frames before the project and were crucial project participants.
  • Paula and the Lodi Middle School Trail Trekkers.
  • Bill Welch and Patti Herman for making homemade chili, muffins, and cookies.
350 feet of lovely white oak boardwalk will protect wetlands and keep hikers' feet dry on the Lodi Marsh Segment of the Ice Age Trail. Photo by Jo Ellarson.
350 feet of lovely white oak boardwalk will protect wetlands and keep hikers' feet dry on the Lodi Marsh Segment of the Ice Age Trail. Photo by Jo Ellarson.

Up Next:

May 18 – 22, Rib Lake Segment, Taylor County

Come prepared to cut fresh tread along the terminal moraine as we begin building four brand-new miles of Trail. This is the first of several projects, which will fill in the gaps along this segment.

Event details and registration, here.

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See our full schedule of upcoming events, here.

Generous Sponsors of the 2022 MSC Trailbuilding Season include:

Duluth Trading Company REI