THE JOY PROJECT
THE JOY PROJECT
 

TRAILS & BRidges

C.2020

Creating and maintaining a trail system is time-consuming and physically demanding, but the rewards run deep. Through The Joy Project, I’ve come to see bridge-building as both a physical and human effort—constructing boardwalks and bridges while also forming friendships and connections along the way. These paths do more than guide us through the landscape; they protect the land from erosion and invite us to experience nature thoughtfully, offering access while helping preserve what makes it special.

 
 
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Cutting trails through dense woods is slow, physical work that demands patience. We began with machetes, axes, and saws, hacking our way through thick vegetation to carve out a narrow path—just enough to let larger equipment follow. This first, labor-heavy step is known as bushwhacking.

Once an initial path was cut, larger equipment like bulldozers and excavators could move in to shape more defined trails. Using heavy machinery in the woods comes with real consequences, so it’s not something to take lightly. On this property, we worked closely with a land management professional trained in forest ecology and ecosystem management to make sure each decision balanced access with long-term forest health.

I approached the trail design the same way I approach many interior design projects—with a sketch. That early drawing helped guide how we cleared vegetation and worked with fallen trees, rather than against them. Whenever possible, logs were left on the forest floor to shelter birds, reptiles, and other wildlife. Others were gathered and repurposed to propagate mushrooms, allowing the forest’s natural cycles to continue in a new way.

Bridge-building happens on many levels. On the land, it’s about designing and constructing structures that connect spaces. With people, it’s about finding common ground and working toward shared goals. Both take effort, patience, and collaboration.

Boardwalks extend that idea by protecting the landscape while making trails more accessible to people of all ages and abilities, allowing more visitors to experience nature in a thoughtful, inclusive way.