The dedication of our volunteer community continues to shine through as we work together to maintain and preserve the historic Buck Rock Lookout. Over two productive workdays this summer the Buck Rock Foundation Facility Team – an exceptional group of volunteers – donated their time and expertise to ensure this beloved landmark remains in top condition.

July 15: Foundation Work

Our first workday included team members Craig Perkins, Neil Metcalf, George Kulick, Bob Lehman, and Greg Gia. The day’s primary accomplishments included:

Exterior Renovation: Beginning the comprehensive preparation and painting of the cab exterior, part of the team sanded, sealed and painted two sides of the building.

Infrastructure Improvement: the other team members installed a reclaimed wood floor in a storage shed, covering the old floor that had been compromised by rodents chewing their way through it. This created a more durable and functional space for storage and blocks rodent intrusion.

August 6: Finishing Strong

Three weeks later, on August 6, our dedicated team returned—with Neil Metcalf, Richard Kinney, Bob Lehman, George Kulick, and Greg Gia rolling up their sleeves for another productive day. This follow-up session focused on completing previous work and addressing critical maintenance needs.

Exterior Completion: Finished the cab exterior preparation and painting work on two sides, leaving just the space above the shutters to be completed. 

Equipment Upgrade: Collaborated with the Forest Service to install a new stove and remove the old one. Lookouts on Duty now have a reliable range and oven for preparing their meals.

Safety Enhancements: Reinforced the uppermost stairway platform just south of the catwalk gate, ensuring visitor safety and structural integrity.

Interior Improvements: Added backstops to countertops to keep glass from sliding. Secured the sink countertop to its cabinet base, addressing a maintenance issue that improves functionality and prevents future damage.

Infrastructure Assessment and Planning

The team also completed several important assessments and preparation tasks:

Water System Maintenance: Installed new water pump and conducted a thorough inspection and partial cleaning of the water tank, with plans for a deeper cleaning in the future.

Stair Renovation Prep: Cut new 2×8 stair treads to length and planed lumber, preparing materials for upcoming stair improvements.

Engineering Measurements: Calculated the elevation change from ground level to catwalk level for data accuracy.

Safety Compliance: Confirmed the sizing and quantity of grounding/bonding clamps required for handrail installation as part of the lightning protection system.

Structural Inspection: Examined the underside of the cab for potential rodent intrusion points, finding no issues—a testament to the structure’s integrity.

Behind-the-Scenes Support

Jan Kinney joined the August 6 team and provided essential support by completing a merchandise inventory and managing visitor access while maintenance work was in progress.

Greg Gia and Forest Service Lookout Mich Michigian engaged in lengthy discussions ahead of time to identify priorities and specific needs. This collaborative planning approach ensured the valuable time of our volunteers was put to the best use.  

Looking Forward

These two successful workdays represent more than just completed tasks—they demonstrate the ongoing commitment of the Buck Rock Foundation to preserving this historic landmark. Each repair or improvement, whether large or small, contributes to Buck Rock’s long-term resilience.

Our Facility Team extends this same commitment beyond Buck Rock, overseeing the care and maintenance of Park Ridge and Delilah Lookouts as well, ensuring that all three lookout facilities remain structurally sound and operationally safe.

Interested in joining future volunteer maintenance days? Contact us to learn about upcoming opportunities to contribute to this important preservation work.