White Salmon kids construct gate for forest access

WHITE SALMON — A group of students placed the finishing touches on an access gate in White Salmon on Nov. 24, connecting Mamie and Francis Gaddis Park with a popular network of forest trails.

The 6-week project was the latest endeavor of George MakerSpace’s “Many Hands Monday” afterschool program, taught by co-directors Jack Perrin and Jared Wolf. The newly offered class is focused on community service and turning creativity outward. The students propose ideas, while Perrin and Wolf coach them through the process of designing, making and installing their handiwork.

Ten kids contributed to the access gate, which allows safe passage through a barbed wire fence. Although the forest trails on the other side are a part of a privately owned farm, where cows roam in the Spring, the owners are kind enough to allow hikers and bikers to use them.

Since a small creek runs parallel to the park border, the cows will often saunter downhill for a sip, hence the barbed wire border. “You have to have this fence,” said Many Hands Monday student Iris Miller-Monnig. “But you have to have a way for people to get through it.”

Fellow student David Kreps demonstrated first-hand why the community needs the access gate, narrowly slipping through the barbed wire and promptly tearing his puffer coat in the process.

Owen Knowles described the initial brainstorm behind the project. “The first time we came down here, we talked about what we wanted to build — a gate or a bridge to get across the creek — and we chose the gate,” Knowles said.

Every Monday since, the kids have gotten their hands dirty, digging holes, laying concrete, connecting wooden posts, and so on, until the job was finished.

Five kids turned out for finishing touches, nailing signposts containing contributors’ names and a no-dogs sign dated for cow season.

Miller-Monnig, the only student present for all six Mondays, cut the ribbon, officially opening the gate for public use.

Perrin and Wolf described the kids’ enthusiasm for the project as “surprisingly inspiring.” Since a majority of the program’s work thus far has comprised builds meant to take home, they thought it could be a harder sell for some.

“To see that energy, excitement and creativity get turned into something that’s going to live out here for everyone in the community to enjoy is pretty cool,” Wolf said. “Hopefully it’s a gate that they all walk through for the next 20 years.”

Moving forward, students will shift focus to a library courtyard project and continue crafting items for the Gorge MakerSpace’s upcoming silent auction.

Many Hands Monday classes are $30 for children 10 or older and take place weekly from 2-5 p.m.

For more information, visit gorgemakerspace.org.