WEEDSPORT #— Nearly 30 years ago, as one of the original members of the Weedsport Winter Wanderers, Bob Wargo had a vision of expanding and improving the trails that comprised the Wanderers’ territory.
His vision included the building and maintenance of several bridges along the various trails in Weedsport that traverse small creeks and streams along their way.
Wargo, who has been a member of the club since 1971, took it upon himself to build a suspension bridge just off Jericho Road, which has stood the test of time these past three decades.
“He spearheaded this,” Wargo’s son Andy said. “He started working on drawing and everything for this at home, and he got a lot of pieces from places like the Manley Field House in Syracuse or lumber from guys on the job, and he took it upon himself and built this from scraps and everything, and it has been here all these years.”
At the end of last summer, members of the club decided that it was time to rejuvenate the bridge.
“It was still in good shape,” said club treasurer Dave Samons. “But it was just time to refurbish it a little bit. He (Wargo) built a good bridge. It has been here for a long time and still would be, we just thought it was time to do something to make sure it would still be here for years to come.”
Samons and a group of volunteers spent their weekends and evenings working on the new structure.
“We did some drawings,” Samons said. “We purchased the materials and everybody donated their labor and Vance Metals donated some of the materials and we just did the work.”
The series of bridges that Wargo built and maintained these many years are unique and an integral part of the network of snowmobile trails that line central New York.
“Without these we wouldn’t be able to get to Cato and places like that north,” Andy said. “Or to Bear Swamp and places like that in the south. We’re pretty lucky to have these on the trails so we can get around like we do.”
In a small ceremony Saturday afternoon, the new bridge was officially christened and opened for business in honor of Wargo.
“Kids have the Bob the Builder toys,” Samons said.
“But for us he is the real Bob the Builder. These bridges were his dream, so we thought it was the right thing to do to name it in honor of him and all he has done for the club and for these trails all these years.”
Samons hung a plaque proudly emblazoned with Wargo’s name, to let all who use the bridge know just who they
have to thank.
Samons estimated that on a good weekend, when there is snow there will be anywhere from 300 to 500 snowmobiles crossing over Bob Wargo’s Dream Bridge, while crisscrossing the trails in Weedsport.
And among them will be Wargo, who to this day is still an avid rider, who was truly moved to be honored in such a way for something he helped to start so many years ago.
“I almost broke down,” Wargo said. “It is quite a feeling to have people remember and I’m really happy that they have done this and that I have been able to be a part of this.”
Wargo, who has been a member of the club since 1971, took it upon himself to build a suspension bridge just off Jericho Road, which has stood the test of time these past three decades.
“He spearheaded this,” Wargo’s son Andy said. “He started working on drawing and everything for this at home, and he got a lot of pieces from places like the Manley Field House in Syracuse or lumber from guys on the job, and he took it upon himself and built this from scraps and everything, and it has been here all these years.”
At the end of last summer, members of the club decided that it was time to rejuvenate the bridge.
“It was still in good shape,” said club treasurer Dave Samons. “But it was just time to refurbish it a little bit. He (Wargo) built a good bridge. It has been here for a long time and still would be, we just thought it was time to do something to make sure it would still be here for years to come.”
Samons and a group of volunteers spent their weekends and evenings working on the new structure.
“We did some drawings,” Samons said. “We purchased the materials and everybody donated their labor and Vance Metals donated some of the materials and we just did the work.”
The series of bridges that Wargo built and maintained these many years are unique and an integral part of the network of snowmobile trails that line central New York.
“Without these we wouldn’t be able to get to Cato and places like that north,” Andy said. “Or to Bear Swamp and places like that in the south. We’re pretty lucky to have these on the trails so we can get around like we do.”
In a small ceremony Saturday afternoon, the new bridge was officially christened and opened for business in honor of Wargo.
“Kids have the Bob the Builder toys,” Samons said.
“But for us he is the real Bob the Builder. These bridges were his dream, so we thought it was the right thing to do to name it in honor of him and all he has done for the club and for these trails all these years.”
Samons hung a plaque proudly emblazoned with Wargo’s name, to let all who use the bridge know just who they
have to thank.
Samons estimated that on a good weekend, when there is snow there will be anywhere from 300 to 500 snowmobiles crossing over Bob Wargo’s Dream Bridge, while crisscrossing the trails in Weedsport.
And among them will be Wargo, who to this day is still an avid rider, who was truly moved to be honored in such a way for something he helped to start so many years ago.
“I almost broke down,” Wargo said. “It is quite a feeling to have people remember and I’m really happy that they have done this and that I have been able to be a part of this.”
The Citizens' Say
There are 2 comment(s)
karl L wrote on Dec 23, 2007 10:59 AM:
oldtimer wrote on Dec 23, 2007 4:05 AM: