Heybrook Hoedown 2014 – Fundraising for Trailblazing

By Sue Cross – reprinted from the 11/7/2014 issue of the Index Wall – with permission.

It was a particularly memorable Heybrook Hoedown on Oct 25 in the River House. The annual fundraiser for Friends of Heybrook Ridge is always a joyous stomp thanks to the music of Spare Rib and the Bluegrass Sauce. A windstorm added a twist to this year’s festivities, bringing down power lines but not the enthusiasm of the band or the crowd. Acoustic instruments materialized right away, and the Corsons were well prepared with candles, lamps and flashlights so the party didn’t skip a beat.

Just about $5000 was raised through raffle and door tickets plus the silent and live auctions. Added to previous years’ funds, there is now enough money to begin building trails on Heybrook Ridge! From the beginning of this effort to save the ridge from clear cutting, hiking trails have been the main fundraising goal. Trail building will begin this spring. The public is invited to a meeting at the River House on Monday, Nov 17 @ 7:00 pm to review the trail plan and provide feedback to Snohomish County Parks.

County Parks is particularly pleased with the recent purchase of property for the trail head. Through an allocation of money from Snohomish County Conservation Futures Fund, the property directly across the bridge from Index is now part of the park! It will be highly visible and accessible for hiking right from town. Long-range goals include connecting Heybrook Ridge trails with USFS trails at the Heybrook Lookout, and continuing beyond to the Wild Sky Wilderness.

Friends of Heybrook Ridge is grateful to the many people in Index and beyond whose generosity has made this dream a reality. Donors large and small have stepped forward with money, time, works of art, energy, and creativity. Our community effort, with a public/private partnership, has created a park that will last far beyond our lives to benefit people who love the outdoors.