Meadowdale Work* Day - Saturday, October 13
*Actually, it's hard to call this a Work Day. You meet up with a bunch of fans at the old track about 8AM, spend a couple of hours shooting the bull while spreading wood chips where the track has disintegrated and on trails through the paddock area. Maybe clear some brush or plant some trees. Take a break for soda, water and snacks, then wrap it up about noon. While you're here, take a look at the progress on the silo restoration. It's coming along!
During breaks there will be videos of Meadowdale racing action. See the famous cars and drivers of the '50s and '60s. Scarabs, Chaparrals, Ferraris, Maseratis, Corvettes, Cobras, Indy cars, midgets, stock cars. Bikes, too. Rathman, Ruby, Donohue, Lund, Heuer, Pabst, Hall, Penske, Follmer, Revson, and many more. They all raced at Meadowdale!
Around noon, there will be guided laps of most of the course. Not exactly at speed, since there is a limit how fast a tractor pulling a hayrack can take the corners. However there should be at least a couple of former Meadowdale racers on hand who will be revved up as they relate their tales of the track.
Come prepared for whatever weather we might get and whatever kind of work you want to do. If you have shovels, lopping shears and rakes, bring them along. (Marking them with your name and phone is a good idea.)
If anyone is in a position to loan medium duty equipment to haul and spread wood chips, please contact Jack Redmer at donnazip@comcast.net or 847-428-2362. If you have questions and/or can let Donna Redmer know you're coming, she can have an idea of how many people to be ready for. Same e-address and phone.
Go to the Huntley Road entrance about one mile west of Route 31. The gate should be open so you can drive up the hill to the track. Sign in and join a team to tackle a project. Thanks for coming out!
The weather was glorious, clear skies, high 70s, low humidity, with a light breeze. A crowd of about 35 volunteers showed up to help in any way they could. The major goal for the day was to plant a group of oak trees. The "saplings" turned out to be somewhat larger than expected, and required some heavy duty digging to get them properly installed. But it was accomplished. Brush clearing, chip spreading and filling holes made by stump grinders occupied the balance of the group's efforts.
Over the past few years of volunteer work days and with assistance from township, the progress in clearing invasive trees, brush and weeds has been significant. The cleared areas are expanding, providing pleasant play areas for picnicking, hiking, biking, and horseback riding. A special thanks to all who participated.
