Bob Snyder, Crew Leader with the Michigan Department of Corrections, retired in January, after 35 years with the State. He worked at the State Park in Interlochen and then transferred to Camp Pugsley, where he has worked with prison crews on many conservation construction projects for the Grand Traverse Conservation District. Bob worked with a crew of five or six prison inmates, who learn the basics of construction work and how to use many tools.
Among the projects Bob has worked on over the years, are work on Power Island, the TART Trail at Mitchell Creek, Beitner Park, and Brown Bridge Pond.
The Power Island project included building a new dock, a boardwalk, a stairway, a deck and overlook, an information kiosk, and a handicapped accessible toilet.
The TART Trail at Mitchell Creek also included making a deck, stairs down to the creek, a fishing platform, and placing rock rip-rap to reduce erosion on the banks.
Beitner Park was a complete overhaul and expansion of the park. A new parking area was put in, and the crew constructed whole log cedar fencing around it. They built a canoe launch and steps that channel traffic and prevent bank erosion on the Boardman River.
The crew has completed several projects at Brown Bridge Pond, including placing mulch and rock rip-rap on the north bank for erosion control. They built a large deck and overlook on the northeast end of the pond that provides a wonderful view of the pond. They have also installed whole log cedar fencing and many routered signs along the trails. They built steps and a canoe launch on the southwest side of Brown Bridge Pond.
Over the years, Bob has provided guidance and training to over a hundred prisoners from Camp Pugsley, on work release. The life skills they’ve learned have been a valuable asset in finding jobs after prison.
Bob Snyder has done a great job as Crew Chief, and has completed so many construction projects in the Grand Traverse area. He has done wonderful work, and will be truly missed here at the Grand Traverse Conservation District!