Kickapoo Creek Park is managed by a
not-for-profit organization, the Logan County Park and Trails
Foundation. According to park ranger Don Hellman, "the board felt
the old bridge was becoming unsafe and decided to replace it.""At
first the members thought it should be a steel bridge, but that
wouldn't have blended in with the surroundings as well as a wooden
structure, so they changed the plan," Hellman explained.
The original bridge was built in 1971 through a joint effort by
members of Lincoln Rotary and Kiwanis. But 40 years of foot traffic
took their toll. The park board wanted to replace the bridge before
further deterioration could occur.
Wooden poles are being replaced with steel posts, a new deck is
in place, and the approach will consist of seven closed stairs
instead of the open steps that were previously in place.
Freesen Inc. of Bluffs, Ill., is building the almost 75-foot
bridge. A three-man crew began work in early December. After several
days off for the holidays, the construction crew and a welder
returned this week to resume the project. The crew chosen to build
the footbridge over Kickapoo Creek has built bridges over rivers and
other large spans.
