Public Project
Shadow on the Trail
Shadow, 62, from Detroit, Michigan, has been creating trails for twenty years. His life has always been creative, and it has taken him to the occupation of a trailmaker. His day starts with coffee at a coffee shop near the job site. He takes his time in the morning and reads his book as the cold morning air soon fades and warms up. He then hits the trail, exploring the area to plan where a path should go. Shadow explains, "I look for landmarks, for trees or creeks. I want to find things that will make the trail interesting."
His work allows him to be on his own time, to be outside, and to be creative with his hands. He pulls a wooden platform that looks like a small sled that brushes and clears a path on his ATV. He then builds unique bridges for hikers and cyclists to cross waterways. "Someone asked me the other day, do you use a leveler? I said no, it's a bridge in the woods." His craftsmanship was built to survive the environment and all types of weather.
I ask Shadow why he builds trails. He says, "I build something that brings people together. When I see crowds of people heading out to the trail smiling and laughing, I see that I am creating something good."
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