Joseph Doddroe looks at the timber in Francis Park and sees the opportunity to create a learning experience for local high school students.

Doddroe appeared at last week’s City Council meeting and said he would like to organize a program for the students to design and build “chariots” from trees in the park. Those vehicles could be used to offer horse-drawn rides down the park’s hiking trails.

He noted that the city has received a state grant to make improvements at the park, including rehabilitating the hiking trails. 

Doddroe stressed that he would only use dead or dying trees for their lumber, or trees that are hanging over a trail and would be removed by the city anyway.

Mayor Gary Moore seemed receptive to the idea, but he said the council couldn’t make a decision on Doddroe’s idea at the meeting. “Let us discuss it and see what we can come up with,” he said.

In an interview with the Kewanee Voice, Doddroe said he remembers taking a ride along a Francis Park trail in a horse-drawn chariot when he was young. But the practice was discontinued years ago, and he’d like to see it revived.

He said he has spoken with officials at both Kewanee and Wethersfield school districts, who are receptive to his idea: For high school students to design the chariots and build them from the lumber.

Doddroe owns Country Men Millings on his property not far from the park, and has a sawmill he could use to turn tree trunks into lumber.

He envisions building two-passenger and six-passenger conveyances, and maybe a wagon large enough for larger groups of people.

Students with artistic talents could come up with designs for the chariots, Doddroe said. If they can come up with several designs, maybe the student body could vote on which design the like best.

Students could also use their skills in math and physics to design chariots that would safely carry people.

Rides could be offered during the Fourth of July celebration at the park, and maybe on other occasions. Doddroe noted that the project will also require the use of horses large enough to pull a heavy load through the park’s trails.

He said he’s spoken with Kevin Newton, the city’s public works director, who is in charge of the parks.

City crews have taken down some dead or dying trees that were likely to fall on a trail. Some of those trees are white oaks, and Doddroe said he could use them for his project.