Trailblazing...on campus

Nearly one third of the senior class came to campus Saturday, December 5 to clear about 100 yards of trail on the south side of Laughing Lake, connecting the southern dam to the bioretention area. Besides providing a nice walking area for students and others, the path provides classes a way to access the wooded area for study by biology and other classes. There is a very large downed tree along the path which provides perfect seating for a small class along the pond path. Now students can visit both a wooded ecosystem and a prairie ecosystem within a five-minute walk.

Students brought their own gloves and tools, John Pierson (English, class sponsor) brought his chain saw, Scott Heinzel (class principal) brought his lunch procurement skills, and Brian Connor (industrial technology) and Tim Baker (music) helped supervise and haul brush. Margaret Bahe (science), who provided this background, reports she "was the bossy one, telling people what to do!"

Students hauled tree pieces out of the woods and then used pruners and hand saws to cut honeysuckle and a few trees from the path's route. Then students divided into teams of four to work on the tread of the trail:  one student led with a pulaski tool or an axe to remove stumps, large roots and rocks and to loosen the dirt; others followed behind with rakes and McClouds to smooth and level the walking surface; the final team member packed the area with a tamper.

This work is the initial effort of a campus perimeter path envisioned and designed by the Class of 2006 Millstone Committee.

Here are pictures courtesy of Margaret Bahe and Andy Newman (fine arts, school photographer).