William Menke and Thomas Gilbert
Recorded
October 7, 2022
Archived
October 7, 2022
53:43 minutes
0:00 / 0:00
Id:
ddc002586
Description
Former coworkers William "Bill" Menke (80) and Thomas "Tom" Gilbert (71) remember their time working together at the beginning of the North Country Trail (NCT) and the challenges and wins they both experienced on the job.Subject Log / Time Code
Bill Menke (BM) asks Tom Gilbert (TG) about how he got involved in the parks and the North Country Trail Association (NCTA). TG shares his journey through trail authorization and planning.
BM asks TG about his experience with the Advisory Council that was created when the trail was first established. TG remembers some of the early advisors some of who were more knowledgable about trails than others.
TG shares one big change that happened for every decade of his career, starting in the 1980's.
TG talks about the surprise of funding for land acquisition for the trail, and the role surprises that happened during his time as Superintendent.
BM asks TG about his concerns for the trail, and TG shares his desire for the National Parks to embrace the importance of the NCT for numerous communities.
BM thanks TG for all of his contributions to the trail. TG asks BM about his work prior to being hired by TG.
BM talks about his decision to backpack the 45 miles of the NCT under his supervision before TG hired him.
BM reflects on his role getting into the "nitty gritty" in the early days of the trail and creating uniformity and systems to maintain the NCT and create a "thread of continuity."
BM shares his experience of writing and distributing the NCT Handbook and the changes that were caused by the implementation of that handbook.
BM talks about how he started training others to care for, design, and construct trail. TG shares his gratitude for all he learned from BM during that time.
The pair discuss the steps they took to prepare and educate the communities the NCT passed through and the implementation of the Urban Signing System.
BM shares some of the challenges of working in Minnesota and creating a feasible route through the state.
BM reflects on the changes he was a part of in his career and his commitment to making the trail accessible to all. He shares the story of coming out of retirement after two weeks to work another 18 years with the NCTA.
Participants
- William Menke
- Thomas Gilbert