Shaun reached out to us with a unique challenge on his beautiful property overlooking the Conodoguinet Creek in Camp Hill. The site featured 200 linear feet of raised walkway connecting the main property to the creek bank, anchored by a custom gazebo built by Dutch craftsmen decades ago.

Preserving a Landmark

The walkway was completely rotted and required a full replacement, but Shaun wanted to salvage the gazebo rather than rebuild it from scratch. This required a delicate, technical approach:

• Leveling & Stabilization: We propped up the entire gazebo, removed the deck boards, and used jacks to shim the structure back to level.

• Foundation Anchoring: Once leveled, we anchored the gazebo securely to its foundation and replaced all rotted framing.

• Mastering the Details: We framed new stairs and hand-matched the custom balusters to maintain the original “Dutch-built” aesthetic.

Engineering a 200-Foot Walkway

Replacing 200 feet of raised walkway on a sloped creek-side lot required significant logistical planning:

• Site Protection: We utilized a skid loader and wheelbarrows to transport debris, using plywood paths to ensure the lawn remained undamaged by the heavy machinery.

• Structural Integrity: Using an auger, we dug and poured over 40 sonotubes to a depth of 3 feet, ensuring the new walkway has a rock-solid foundation.

• Longevity-First Framing: We used ground-contact pressure-treated lumber, treating every cut end and applying joist tape to prevent moisture buildup and maximize the structure’s lifespan.

Final Touches: The Cupola

To complete the restoration, we tackled the gazebo’s peak. The original cupola had lost most of its cedar shakes to the elements. We climbed the structure to patch the roof with new cedar shakes, restoring the gazebo to its former glory.

Helping Shaun revitalize this unique creek-side retreat was a rewarding experience, blending heavy-duty construction with fine-tuned restoration.