Cedar Bog, located a few miles south of Urbana, is locally managed by the Cedar Bog Association but is under the umbrella of Ohio History Connection.
Dyer said the plan is to replace the entire 5,188-foot boardwalk because the boards were originally placed in a longitudinal fashion and are split open and cracked in places, especially where the fasteners are located.
“It’s slippery,” he said. “When (the wood) gets wet or covered in frost, it makes it slippery. It was rough-hewed wood, but it’s worn down.”
He said the new design involves placing the boards in a different pattern for better wear and tear. The new boards will be six inches wider, making it more accessible for wheelchairs. The proposed design also includes a new 395-foot boardwalk from the pond to the North Meadow.
The cost estimate for construction is about $323,000. That will cover demolishing the existing boardwalk, at a cost about $62,300, and building the new boardwalk, which will cost nearly $243,900. There is also a $6,500 charge for rattlesnake field management, $6,500 for five observation platforms and a $3,500 contingency cost for re-installing signs. The cost of the permit and architectural and engineering fees is a little more than $16,200, and the project contingency is $33,900.
The OHC currently has $121,000 in state capital funds. It is seeking a grant of $150,000 from the Recreational Trails Program and will find out in October if it’s approved, Dyer said. The plan is to raise the remaining $103,200.
George Kane, director of historic sites and facilities at OHC, said the group will seek funding from foundations and private donors. He said they can also apply for other grants or get additional state funds if they still come up short.
In order to get the Recreational Trails grant, the bog was required to hold a public meeting to hear opinions on the project. The meeting was held Jan. 26 at the Cedar Bog Education Center. Dyer said about 20 people showed up and gave good feedback on the project.
“Nobody said they didn’t want to see it,” he said. “They wanted to know about the impact it would have on the bog and the streams. We answered all of their concerns, and everyone went home happy.”
The bog is hoping to begin construction in September or October 2016, Dyer said. This time was chosen because Cedar Bog is home to the massasauga, an endangered rattlesnake, and the construction needs to be done before they go back into their burrows for the winter.
Dyer said he hopes construction will only take a few months. He also said he’s looking into doing the project in two parts, so one section of the boardwalk can always remain open during construction.
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