The Felton Covered Bridge Advocacy team goals include:
- Safeguarding the bridge by removing trees that could fall and damage the structure;
- Opening the view of the bridge by removing or trimming vegetation; and
- Creating a riverwalk along the Covered Bridge Road side of the San Lorenzo River.
In a subsequent meeting with representatives of County Parks and Public Works, the goals were refined. It was agreed that volunteers, working in conjunction with Parks Department staff, would trim the trees that are actually touching the historic bridge and remove the invasive thistle plants around the bridge. This should be done in about a month. Volunteers are also working with private property owners to remove or trim problem trees.
The next step will be to obtain State permits to do a “fire safety” clearance around the bridge. The permits will cost an estimated $7,000 to $10,000 and will take about six months to obtain once the permit costs are paid. The challenge at this point is to obtain the funds to start the permit process. Planning Department staff will prepare the applications once the funding is obtained.