Like New Again

The five alcoves along the Skiles Test Trail got a good scrubbing last month to remove nearly two decades of dirt, grime and organic matter, and the transformation is striking. Before the cleaning, the concrete pads and benches were dark and discolored and looked rundown and neglected. Today, the unsightly grime has been replaced by bright, clean concrete that enhances the appeal and beauty of the park.

To brighten up these areas, the Friends of Skiles Test Nature hired Sparkle Wash Central to power wash the alcoves. The company used a truck-mounted washing unit that came equipped with hot water tanks for remote places. The cleaning is part of a multi-year effort by the Friends group to restore the alcoves to their original purpose and condition.

The alcoves were installed in the mid-2000s as part of an upgrade to the Skiles Test Trail. The upgrade included paving the trail from the parking lot to the top of the hill to prevent erosion and constructing five rest areas to make the trail accessible to individuals with disabilities. In addition, informational signs that invited visitors to learn about the various species of trees and wildlife found in the park as well as the park’s historical roots were erected in 2007.

Over the years, the informational signage deteriorated. By 2023, only two signs remained, and both were defaced. They were discarded during the spring 2023 cleanup, and the obsolete concrete bases that once held them were removed by a Department of Public Works crew in January 2025.

Restoring the landscape around the benches is the next step in this project. To fully restore these areas, informational signage or art that identifies the wildlife and native plant species found in the park needs to be developed and installed.