Procedure and Details
Matthew Adamczyk - Eagle Scout Project
    As stated previously, the grounds surrounding the cabin are rather deteriorated.  Barren
spots have developed from trucks driving in the area. In some places, the cabin has been
overgrown with trees and bushes. The edge of the nearby Rouge River is eroded in many
places. The location of the fire ring has moved many times (as is obvious from the burn
marks on the ground), and is currently too close to the cabin. The soil around the
foundation of the building has been worn away by rainfall and lack of vegetation.
 This project will be labor intensive. The Cranbrook Groundskeeping department
has volunteered any equipment (excluding heavy machinery) and supplies that are deemed
necessary by this project. Volunteers will be gathered from the Cranbrook student body.
The start date is set for September 8th and the project is to be completed by September
29, 2000.

 The following is a list of needed materials:

 · Rakes
 · Shovels
 · Grass seed
 · Brush Trimmers (“Chopper `Loppers”)
 · Pruning Shears
 · Topsoil
 · Watering cans / buckets
 · Food for volunteers
 · Stones
      · Work gloves
 

Order of Procedure:
           I.)Repair to damaged turf and fire ring work
          II.)Trimming of brush
        III.)Stabilization of foundation

I.)     The first part of the project is to establish an official fire ring and repair the
damaged lawn. The current camp fire area is far too big; it must be reduced to two feet
across. In order to erase damage from localized grass fire, the designated area must first
be dug up and turned over to give the grass fresh nutrients with which to grow. Then
mixed rye-bluegrass seed will be applied and raked in, adding water as necessary. Then,
using stones provided by Cranbrook, a fire-ring will be created approximately two feet in
diameter.
     Around the cabin, the lawn has been destroyed by vehicles driving right up to the
site. This has caused large mud-filled areas that are unsighly. To repair this, dirt will be
brought in by the Cranbrook Groundskeeping team, as well as mixed rye-bluegrass seed.
With shovels and rakes, the topsoil will be spread around, and then grass seed will be
dispersed in the area. A light watering will allow for quick growth.

II.)     Trimming the brush around the cabin, while simple, is a necessary procedure. The
cabin, being made almost entirely of wood, could easily catch fire if the nearby trees were
ablaze. Not to mention that without sufficient air flow, mold and moss quickly build up on
wooden structures, leading to roof and wall rot. To remove this hazard, brush timmers
(“Chopper `Loppers”) and brush saws will be necessary. To maintain a safe distance from
the cabin, a ten foot reduction in brush will be adaquate. The brush will be removed from
the site by the Cranbrook groundskeeping team.

III.)     Restoring the soil aroind the foundation is a difficult task, but with the help of the
Cranbrook Groundskeeping team, a soulution has been created. Given adequate
volunteers and time, stones will be placed along the bank, near the cabin. This will not
only restore the former ground level, but will also keep the soil from eroding at the base of
the cabin.