Elden Rammell, known to most as Papa Smurf, was the first to try out the new bench installed last week in front of the Seeley-Swan Medical Center. This is one of six benches that were installed on the trail next to Highway 83 in Seeley Lake.
SEELEY LAKE - The Seeley Lake Community Foundation (SLCF) replaced the six wooden benches along the trail paralleling Highway 83 with steel-framed benches made of old skis. This is one of three improvements to the trail that the SLCF hopes to make in the near future.
Ryan Richards installed the wooden benches during the summer of 2003 as a part of his Eagle Scout project. The benches bore the Boy Scout motto, along with the six steps to becoming an Eagle Scout, one step on each bench through town. Once the project was completed the benches were donated to the Seeley Lake Chamber of Commerce.
In August, 2009 the employees of Rovero's refinished the benches and retraced the inscriptions. However weather, vehicle accidents and lack of attention left the wooden benches in various states of decay.
"I started realizing we could make a difference on the town trail by doing a couple of things: striping, replacing the benches and trying to do some planting," said SLCF Executive Director Anne Beach. "I started with the bench project because it was the easiest one to organize."
With a $2,000 matching grant from Missoula County Parks and Trails, the SLCF hired Seeley Lake Ken Pitman of Pitman Machining to fabricate the bases for the benches. Seeley Lake ROCKS donated the skis for the seats and backs. Pitman donated his time and artistic ability in putting the benches together. SLCF volunteers removed the wooden benches, salvaging what they could, and installed the new benches in the same locations.
"We choose the ski benches because the resources were readily available and to promote the winter-sport theme in Seeley Lake," said Beach.
Beach said the benches are all very different. They are located by the Seeley-Swan Medical Center, SL 1-Stop, Mission Bible Fellowship, Moose B' Mornin' Coffee Shop, between Napa and Rovero's, and by Blue River Station.
The SLCF intends to put side stripes on the trail to help identify it. They will also use the bicycle and walking-man templates to show the intent of the trail is for non-motorized use. Missoula County Weeds District has agreed to help identify perennials that can survive along the trail in Seeley Lake's climate.
For more information about the project or to get involved as a volunteer contact Beach at 677-3506.
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