River Access Project Completed!

Because of flooding and severe storms in the past few years, the river access was in such poor shape it was barely passable. In January, when French Azilum Board Member Deborah Courville and FAI Member Nick Superko surveyed the site, a tree had also fallen across the access path, which itself had been further eroded. 

In June, Heller Excavating of Laceyville, under the oversight of Courville and Superko, removed the dead tree, cleared underbrush, re-graded the ramp, installed slope erosion protection, planted grass seed, and surfaced the ramp with stone. The blue and yellow flag of French royalty with its fleur-de-lis design has now also been mounted on the mile marker post, along with a brochure caddy. 

The campsites at the top of the ramp have been cleared of brush: two useable tent pads and a fire ring, plus a picnic table and benches invite travelers to stop and enjoy a rest and a meal. A third campsite with another fire ring, bench and picnic table, at a small distance up the hill from the one at the top of the access ramp, will be made useable shortly. 

The River Access is now an eye-catching sight along the river, its flag snapping in the breeze, beckoning kayakers, canoeists and all river travellers to pull in and find out what Azilum is all about.