By Anne M. Ostrowski, Item Correspondent

Hikers in Hamburg can now stay on the beaten path, thanks to a new footbridge constructed by volunteers with Blue Mountain Wildlife, Inc.

The footbridge, dedicated on Saturday, Oct. 24, connects the Thurman Madeira Switchback Trail with the Bartram Trail along Industrial Drive in Hamburg.  

Its installation creates a safer passage for those using the trails.  

In addition, it is constructed of recycled materials purchased from a local company and will be featured in a PBS program later this year.

Gregg Adams, secretary of Blue Mountain Wildlife, Inc. (BMW), explained the need for the bridge.  

“Our goal was to make it safer for people to use the trails and experience the natural resources here at the Kernsville Dam Recreation Area,” Adams said.  “The bridge keeps pedestrian and bike traffic off of Industrial Drive.”  

Before the footbridge was built, people had to venture onto the road along a guard rail in order to move between both trails.  

In addition to building the footbridge, BMW also placed approximately 1600 square feet of stone bedding in the Kernsville monument parking lot and on trails along the Schuylkill River and through the wetlands recreational area.  

The project, undertaken between May and August this year, totaled $35,000 and was funded, in part, through grants from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development and Berks County’s Open Space and Recreation Advisory Council.  Blue Mountain Wildlife contributed $12,000 to the project.  BMW’s funds are raised through entrance fees for their annual Northern Berks Quad Games, membership and donations.  

Local businesses Everlast Plastics, owned by Cougle’s Recycling, and MRD Lumber in Bethel Township provided much of the materials at cost.  Because the footbridge is created of mostly recycled materials, it will be featured in an upcoming WLVT (PBS 39) program on sustainable resources

Representative Tim Seip (D-125th District), who administered the ribbon-cutting for the bridge, praised Blue Mountain Wildlife for providing a positive outlet.   

“Blue Mountain Wildlife has been a friend of the earth and of the 125th legislative district,” Seip said.  “They are working to enhance and improve accessibility to see the wildlife.”  Walter Axsmith, Strausstown, representing the Northern Berks Recreation Commission, also attended the dedication.  

“Blue Mountain Wildlife is a premier example of what can be done when the local people get together to do a project,” Axsmith said.  “We want to encourage this.”  

The Recreation Commission coordinates recreational activities for the Hamburg School District by identifying proposals as “regional projects” which are more likely to be funded by the state.  

Blue Mountain Wildlife has an ambitious slate of projects for its three-to-five year plan.  They include building an erosion-resistant canoe launch at the dam, improving portage around the dam breast, enhancing the butterfly garden and building two outdoor classrooms with the help of local Eagle Scouts.  Adams noted that the area has undergone a huge change in recent years and will see greater improvement in the future.  

“This area has had a checkered history,” Adams said.  “At one time it was neglected, dumped in and, unfortunately, the site of some criminal activity.”  BMW is dedicated to maintaining this area that is now regularly visited by walkers, bicyclists, dogs and horses, as well as an abundance of wildlife.  

“Most of our members grew up here,” Adams added.  “It’s a personal thing for us and we don’t like to see it go.

Said Don Waldron, president of Blue Mountain Wildlife, and the person in whose honor the footbridge is dedicated, “This is a nice place for a hike or bike ride along the river.”