By 1812Blockhouse
If you have hiked the South Fork Loop Trail at Fleming Falls Preserve over the past three months, you probably sensed something was different. The changes were not subtle, but they were purposeful. From early August through November, a small army of volunteers and Richland County Park District staff took on one of the most physically demanding trail projects at the preserve to date.
This was not routine maintenance. It was a full rebuild of a critical section of trail infrastructure, done carefully and, at times, creatively.
Rebuilding What Nature and Time Wore Down
The focus of the project was the staircase and bridge along the South Fork Loop Trail, long recognized as the most vulnerable stretch of the route. The stairs were in the poorest condition, but the work could not begin there. First came the less visible task of replacing concrete beneath the bridge, a necessary foundation before anything else could move forward.
Once that was complete, the old staircase was removed entirely. A new top platform and stair system were then rebuilt and attached to the existing bridge. The terrain made this far from straightforward. Setting posts on a steep hillside required staff and volunteers to work in harnesses, an unusual sight on a county park trail and a reminder that this was serious construction work, not casual trail clearing.
After the structural work, the bridge itself was repainted and reinforced. Gravel and tile were added to improve drainage and manage runoff, followed by two smaller stair sets that now connect the rebuilt section smoothly to the existing trail on both ends.
The People Who Made It Happen
Projects like this do not succeed without committed hands and steady patience. The volunteers who devoted time and energy to the rebuild were Holly Wise, Jesse Plushnik, Randy Barlow, Joel Larkin, and Felipe Soto. Park District staff members Zac Sendelbach, Luke Donahue, and Maggie Chamberlin were also deeply involved throughout the process.
The work demanded flexibility and problem-solving. Plans changed. Conditions shifted. The team adapted as needed, moving well beyond plan A before the final result took shape.
A Preserve With Deep Roots
Fleming Falls Preserve is one of the newer properties in the Richland County Park District system, but its history stretches back more than two centuries. The falls are named for John Fleming, who built a water-powered grist mill at the site in 1817, making use of the natural cataract along a tributary of the Black Fork River.
Over time, the area evolved from an industrial site to a popular nineteenth-century excursion destination, then later to a Boy Scout camp and Camp Mowana. The Park District acquired and reopened the property as a public nature preserve in 2019.
Today, the preserve encompasses more than 100 acres of forested ravines and stream corridors. Along the waterway alone, visitors can find more than 15 cascades and waterfalls. The trail system is designed for day-use hiking, emphasizing natural character rather than developed recreation.
Looking Ahead
In addition to the newly improved trail infrastructure, Fleming Falls includes a large former conference and education building that remains closed but is planned for future public use. A Friends of the Richland County Park District capital campaign has already funded a new observation deck and welcome feature near the former Fleming House and Oneida Lodge site.
Together with places like Gorman Nature Center, the Richland B&O Trail, and the Clear Fork Valley properties, Fleming Falls Preserve plays a growing role in expanding access to high-quality natural areas in eastern Richland County.
The rebuilt South Fork Loop Trail is a quiet but important step in that larger effort. It is safer now, more resilient, and better prepared for the steady stream of hikers who come for the gorge, the water, and the sense of place that Fleming Falls continues to offer.
