You may have seen mention of the trip CSPF staff and board recently took to Annadel State Park. We took a tour of the beautiful park, including a hike around Lake Ilsanjo. The views were spectacular, we saw plenty of wildlife, and we took it all in through an extra-appreciative lens knowing that Annadel is on the closure list.

While on our hike we noticed a very cool Eagle Scout project worth sharing. Attached to the wall of the bathrooms on the west side of Lake Ilsanjo is a wooden box with two cabinet doors. The box is labeled “Bike Rescue Station: Eagle Project 2010.” It’s the size of a toaster oven and vaguely resembles a birdhouse.

You probably don’t need to be reminded that Annadel is a huge destination for mountain bikers; people have traveled from all over the world to ride the trails there. That being said, you can imagine why a Bike Rescue Station is a great idea. Inside the box are all the bike supplies a mountain biker in distress could wish for. Plenty of tools and a couple spare tubes are always tucked away in the box waiting for a biker who comes across bad luck (or a sharp stick). The rule is that if you take a tube from the box, you bring a new one to replace it the next time you ride through.

We love this project created by Rhett Spongberg of Troop 55. What a great way to help people while also fostering a sense of community and support among Annadel State Park users.

Annadel is also very popular among hikers and equestrians, and through intentional community building – such as the Bike Rescue Station aims to do – these vastly different groups have learned to play peacefully together in Annadel State Park. We hope they will be able to continue playing in Annadel for many years to come.