Gibson Park trail closed June 30 for sealcoating
The trail in Gibson Park will be closed on June 30 for sealcoating.
Sealcoating “applies a protective layer to the trail surface that helps shield the asphalt from weather, moisture, UV damage, and everyday wear from foot and bike traffic. By maintaining the surface before larger problems develop, we can greatly extend the life of the trail, reduce long-term repair needs, and keep it safer and smoother for everyone who enjoys it,” according to Great Falls Park and Recreation.
Park visitors are asked to avoid the workers and equipment.
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It takes about 24 hours of the tar to cure, according to Park and Rec staff.
As an alternative, Park and Rec staff recommend using the Elks Riverside Trail or River’s Edge Trail while the sealcoating is being completed.
Parks staff completed some crack filling and sealcoating last summer and were filling cracks in Gibson Park last month.
Earlier this summer, Park and Rec staff sealcoated a portion of the Elks Riverside Park trail from the horseshoe pit to the tennis courts after sealing cracks on that section.
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AJ Smovir, trail coordinator, said staff had done about two miles of the River’s Edge Trail on June 8 as well as some other asphalt trails in city parks.
Kevin Vining, parks supervisor, said during the June 8 Park and Rec Advisory Board meeting neglected asphalt trails in city parks had been an ongoing issue.
He said the sealcoat trailer and crack sealer machines were a game changer to extend the life of trails. The trailer was purchased in recent years through a combination of park maintenance district funding and support from the River’s Edge Trail Foundation.
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Vining said parks staff worked with the city public works department to use the equipment efficiently.
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Smovir and the trails crews are working to seal cracks on all asphalt trails in city parks and sealcoat as needed within the next year to lengthen the life of the asphalt. Once they do all the parks, Smovir will develop a rotating schedule for sealcoating those trails until more asphalt can be converted to concrete, staff said during the June 8 Park and Recreation Advisory Board meeting.
