Your Tax Dollars At Work

We all know that too many of our tax dollars are wasted every year by the government, sometimes through ridiculous projects, bad decisions, fraud or outright poor accounting.  Once in a while, a really good use of tax dollars comes along.

Here at the J. Strom Thurmond COE at Thurmond Lake is the Bartram Trail, a trail that winds around portions of the lake through beautiful untouched forests.  The trail is used by hikers, mountain bikers and horse owners.

 

A newly installed area at the head of the trail has some nice features for trail users.

 

A kiosk, with information about the trail as well as tear off maps to use to follow the trail.

 

 

 

A special stall for horse owners to hitch their horses and water hoses to give the horses drinks as well as a washing after navigating the trail.

 

 

Something I've never seen before is installed there.

 

 

It is a work station for bike riders.  It has a rack at the top to hang a bike, an air pump to inflate tires and even tools hanging on cables for repairs and adjustments.

Along with picnic tables and pit toilets, there is even a changing room.  Who wants to get in their car to drive home in sweaty clothes after a day biking or hiking on the trail?  Not me.  This is another great idea.

 

Sometimes tax dollars are well spent.   :c)

 

In the meantime, along with many small tasks and getting set up for another season of Water Safety presentations in the local schools, we've been doing checks of the parks to keep areas in working order.  Occasionally things happen that need to be taken care of immediately, like this tree that washed up and blocked a popular boat access ramp.

 

 

Things are going to slow down a bit as the holidays approach, but there are plenty of things to keep us busy (and out of trouble).   :c)

Thanks for visiting and feel free to leave a comment.