A (b)log of Natural Resources Info

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Juday Hall is the first building that you see as you enter Trees For Tomorrow's (TFT) campus. 

This building, along with several others on campus, was constructed in the mid-1930s as part of the Civilian Conservation Corps program and was/is owned by the US Forest Service. It has served many roles including TFT's administration building with a lecture hall, a full-time Eduction Hall, Head Start Daycare location, and is currently the hub for TFT's KinderWild Camp and evening lecture series. 

 

Entrance to TFT and Juday Hall, circa 1930's

 

You'll notice as you enter the building that it holds a place on the historic register of Wisconsin indicated by the ornate plaque by the front door. While many of the architectual features have remained the same, some have changed over the years. One such improvement is the addition of an access ramp on the west side of the building to aid guests who may have difficulty using steps. Being a non-profit organization with very few resources, a small team made up of staff members including Bill McCallum (Maintenance Manager), Vern Gentele (Educator) and Todd Starling (Educator) rolled up their sleeves and got to work. 

 

Original asphalt ramp to Juday Hal

 

Because of its age and condition, TFT decided to remove the old ramp that was the back stoop covered by sloping dirt to grade then covered with blacktop. The staff's goal was to replace it with a new and improved one that conforms to ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) standards.With the aid of rented equipment including a jack hammer, bobcat-type loader, and a great deal of peoplepower, the old ramp was removed.

 

        

Above left: Part of the underlying stoop "foundation" for the original ramp. This piece has since been removed (with the help of a jackhammer).

Above middle: Posts and frame for new ramp.

Above right: TFT educator Todd Starling attaches deck boards to the frame of the new ramp.

 

What does it take to build a new ramp?

Glad you asked.

• First you must check and confirm ADA standards for rise and run (i.e. slope), width, height of handrails, and entry way level deck size.

• Second, design a ramp that meets these requirements and choose your material of choice.

• Third, tear out/remove the existing ramp and prepare the ground and area for the new structure.

• One of the primary components of the new structure is setting posts for the entry deck and handrails. Sound easy? This is where lots of manual labor comes into play. Dig needed holes (8 holes almost 3 feet deep), place rock in the bottom of the hole for drainage, and finally set a post in each hole. Plumb the posts ensuring they are vertical, add a bag of concrete mix and water, then let them harden overnight.

• The next day you can begin to build the deck and ramp frame followed by deck boards. When installing deck boards, remember to allow space between each board for drainage.

• Once deck boards are in place, a handrail should be built. To accomplish this, determine height and slope. Attach the top and side pieces to the posts that were set earlier.

 

The list of projects on campus is never-ending, but we are happy to check Juday Hall's new ramp build off our list!  This ramp will help ensure that all guests feel welcome and are able to participate in all of the programs that Trees For Tomorrow has to offer.

 

Nearly done! All that remains is a metal transition piece between the ramp and the ground to anchor it in place, as well as a good couple of coats of stain!!

 

by Vern Gentele, Environmental Educator at Trees For Tomorrow