Volunteers planning Saturday’s Cinderpath Greenway cleanup will work from the north trailhead instead of crossing the creek after runoff washed soil from beneath one end of the footbridge.
The bridge closed Thursday after a parks employee found the approach settling and placed barricades at both ends. The span remains upright, but the county asked visitors not to step around the barriers while an engineer evaluates the bank.
The Sable Creek Land Trust and county parks staff had planned to divide volunteers between both sides of the bridge. The revised workday will concentrate on litter, invasive vines, and drainage channels along the northern two miles.
“There is plenty to do without putting anyone near the washout,” land-trust coordinator Rhea Moss said. “The creek bank can wait for people with the right equipment.”
Volunteers should meet at the north trailhead pavilion at 9 a.m. Gloves and bags will be available. Organizers asked people to wear closed shoes and avoid bringing young children near the equipment staging area.
The south segment remains open from its separate trailhead, but visitors cannot travel through the closed crossing. Parks staff said the closure does not affect the river overlook or the farm-lane loop.
County staff will examine the footing after water levels fall. A repair date and cost have not been set.
Update, May 7: The bridge remains closed. The county has installed temporary erosion controls and is seeking prices for a new approach footing. Saturday’s cleanup collected 38 bags of litter and cleared two blocked drainage channels, according to the land trust.