Federal probationers take on 12th year of park projects

A group of 20 federal offenders are hard at work on several projects in the Smokies that will count towards their community service requirements while improving the experience of thousands of visitors who hike in the Park. The twenty men and women have teamed up with Park Maintenance workers and several federal probation officers to develop a new, more scenic route for hikers making the short trip from Sugarlands Visitor Center to Cataract Falls.  Previously, hikers to the falls have been directed down a blacktop sidewalk, through a large parking lot and across a vehicle bridge before they enter the short trail to the falls.  The new route will lead off the sidewalk, pass over a foot-log across Cataract Branch, and follow the creek banks under the bridge to connect with the existing trail.  Other members of the group are painting Park buildings in the Cosby area. Rangers guide dozens of short, mile hikes weekly up to Cataract Falls, and for a lot of visitors it may be their first hike in the Smokies. According to Smokies’ Acting Superintendent, Shawn Benge “We look at the guided Cataract Falls trip as the most ‘entry level’ hiking experience that families can have.  We find that once they see the type of scenery that lies just off the roads, some of them come back to the Visitor Center to find out about other possible hikes that they might consider.  This new trail alignment will provide visitors with a much better snapshot of what the Park is really about.” Park Maintenance Workers Randy Wegwerth and Bradley Roberts have worked with the Federal Probationers Program since its inception in 1994. Wegwerth gives the probationers and the officers high marks for getting valuable work done. “Over the years,” Wegwerth said, “these folks have renovated hundreds of campsites at Elkmont and Cosby Campgrounds and picnic sites at Chimneys and Metcalf Bottoms Picnic Areas.  They have also painted dozens of Park administrative and visitor use buildings.” Scott Smith is the Federal Probation Officer overseeing the work on behalf of the Community Service Project of Eastern Tennessee and has worked on the projects for all 12 seasons. “This work gives the offenders a chance to give something back to the community,” Smith said, “While doing something they can be proud of. Many of them will bring their families back to see this or request to work additional community service hours above what they have been ordered to do.”      The $6,000 worth of gravel, timbers and other materials used in the Cataract Falls Trail project is being provided by the Richard Haiman Foundation through Friends of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The projects will be in progress for the remainder of the week, but the most visual aspects will be probably be done by Thursday. The Park is sending several digital images electronically with this release. All individuals pictured gave OK to having photos and names be used.