By Dennis Brown

Thanks to some generous donations of time and equipment, the ballfield at Garrison Elementary School is being significantly upgraded.

“When the children walk on the field to play ball next year, they may not recognize it,” said Thomas Massie, a parent who helped organize efforts to get the work done.

“For years, the ballfield has been plagued by poor drainage,” Massie said. Runoff from the outfield has traditionally gone directly onto the infield, sometimes sitting in low areas for several days.

Massie said the conditions have lead to frequent game cancellations and disappointing postponements during the spring baseball season. “Coaches have literally faced an uphill battle trying to get the field in shape after every rain shower,” he said. 

 Citizens and businesses in the area have recently undertaken a major project that will hopefully change that.

“When the improvements are finished, the infield will be elevated eight inches,” Massie said. “And some parts of the outfield will be over three feet lower than before, which will facilitate a one percent to two percent grade, sloping away from the infield to promote natural drainage.”

Terry LeMaster, President of Tram Construction, has been the lead sponsor of the project. He provided extensive use of his John Deere 850 dozer and his road grader, along with the fuel to keep them running. 

“I’m glad to do anything to help the kids in the community,” LeMaster said. “It’s something that has needed to be done for a long time and we recently had the opportunity to get things together and complete the project.”

Experienced equipment operators Andy Justice and Robi Bentley selflessly donated their evenings and weekends to move over 1,000 cubic yards of dirt, in what has been very challenging weather. One Saturday alone, they each put in 11 hours on the equipment, and would have worked longer if not for a sudden thunderstorm.

Massie said he and Henry Murnahan (Project Lead) hatched the plan and have been coordinating the effort, shooting grade with the transit, and running Massie's tractor with a 5,000 pound roller to consolidate the dirt. 

Using donated materials, Trent Underwood and Murnahan installed a tap and waterline that will enable a pop-up sprinkler in the middle of the baseball diamond. 

Joe Bentley, of Big Barn Farm Store, has generously agreed to sow a low maintenance, drought tolerant grass on the entire field as soon as the dirt work is complete and the ground has settled sometime later this fall.

 Finally, next spring, the Lewis County Little League will provide the funds to cut out the base paths and put down brick dust.

Massie said those involved in the project would like to thank Lewis County Schools Superintendent Maurice Reeder Jr., Schools Facilities Coordinator Nick Adams and GES Principal Dale McDowell for accommodating the disruptions and allowing these changes to the school property.

Massie also recognized others including Bill Tom Stone and the Little League Board for support; all sponsors of the Lewis County Little League; Garrison Fire Chief Marty Strong for helping the project off on the right foot; and John Collins for graciously accommodating significant disruptions to his property.

Nick Adams said the school district is very appreciative and impressed with what the community was able to come together and do with the baseball field.

“In a few months, and also 50 years from now, Lewis County Students will have the opportunity to play baseball and softball on a nice field because of the volunteers donating their time, hard work, money and equipment,” he said. “We want to say ‘thanks’ to all involved.”

“The improved ballfield will be the backdrop for a lot of positive childhood memories for decades to come, and has not cost taxpayers a single penny,” Massie said.

Everyone is encouraged to come by and see the changes and improvements to the field.

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet last week authorized emergency funding for a slide repair on Straight Fork Road to make immediate temporary repairs until a more substantial job on the roadway gets underway.

Judge Executive Steve Applegate said he had received word from Commissioner B.D. Wilson with the Department of Rural and Municipal Aid that funds totaling $28,300 would be allocated to Lewis County and that work on locating piling at the slip will begin as soon as equipment could be brought to the location.

“These emergency funds are used to repair roadways to improve safety and mobility,” Kentucky Transportation Secretary Joe Prather said. “This project is one example of the cabinet’s commitment to providing a solid infrastructure in Lewis County and across the commonwealth.”

Applegate said $2,330,000 had earlier been allocated for reconstruction of 2,100 feet of Straight Fork Road beginning at the intersection with Ky. Rt. 59. He noted that slides and slips along the steep bank along Kinniconick have been plaguing the roadway for several years.

A starting date for the bigger project has not yet been set, although Applegate said it is on the short list of projects the state has laid out over the next two years.

 In March of last year the county was awarded $17,000 for emergency repairs to the roadway, also make temporary repairs. Approximately 65 homes are located on Straight Fork Road.

Applegate said residents on the road are limited on the routes they can use because high water also blocks their other route out.

Other projects include replacing the bridge and approaches on Skidmore Lane 0.1 mile south of the AA Highway at a cost of $200,000. That project is currently underway. Constructing a new bridge crossing the North Fork of the Licking River at the Lewis County-Fleming County line has been approved at a cost of $5 million. 

The biennial budget for reconstructing along County Road 1026 to ensure that the route is out of the flood plane is $175,000.

Residents of Straight Fork have tolerated the roadway’s failings for several years even walking their children around the slip areas to get them to the school bus waiting on the other side.

Applegate said the state reconstruction of the 2,100 foot section will put good roadway past the danger areas and would provide reliable access for those traveling to and from the area for many years.