Group wants to raise more than $70,000 to repair Harriman fences

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ISLAND PARK — The rustic buck and rail fencing that marks the historic boundaries of Harriman State Park is in dire need of repair. Many logs are broken and need to be replaced.

The Friends of Harriman State Park has launched the Buy a Buck campaign to raise $72,800 to build 8,740 feet of Jack or "buck and rail" fencing. The organization is asking for $100 donations to sponsor construction of one 12 ft. "buck" section of the fence, and 728 bucks are needed. The $100 per buck covers materials and the labor needed to remove the old fence and build the new one. The sections this project covers go along Hwy. 20 from Osborne Bridge north to Last Chance and near the park's Railroad Ranch Historic District. See the map.

The Friends of Harriman State Park is a new nonprofit organization devoted to helping the park by sponsoring special projects, fundraisers, educational programs, and more.

The section or sections you purchase will be branded with your inscription — your name, another name you choose, or the name of a club or organization that contributes to the project.

Kate Chase, a founder of the Friends of Harriman State Park group, announced the fundraiser at the Island Park Community After Hours on Wednesday, March 23.

Why a buck fence? It’s a local tradition! Island Park sits atop a volcanic caldera, and the lava rock is hard and unfriendly to fenceposts anchored deep into the ground. Buck and rail fencing sits on top of the ground, making it unnecessary to dig fencepost holes in the hard and rocky soil.

E-mail Chase the number of section you want and the name, organization, club, business, agency, etc. you want inscribed on the fence.

E-mail friendsofharriman@gmail.com.

Or send a mail request and your check to Friends of Harriman State Park, PO Box 125, Island Park, ID. 83429.

This is part of the online edition of Henry's Fork Country.

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