With the entire Harrison Elementary School on hand, ground was broken Wednesday afternoon for the Community Fitness Trail behind the Warsaw school.
School, architect, city and PTO representatives dug into the ground with gold-painted shovels, with assistance from students.Equipment to start the work on the half-mile trail will be on hand at the school Oct. 24. Weather permitting, physical education teacher Scott Mehlberg said the trail should be completed by Nov. 1.
Mehlberg originated the idea for the trail about four years ago to help students stay motivated to be healthy and active. The trail also will have 10 stations along its route for different stretches and cardio activities.
"For the community, there's no age limit on it as far as who are able to use it," said Mehlberg. The trail offers a safe place, away from traffic, for senior citizens and toddlers alike to get some exercise in. The stations don't have to be used, but are encouraged, he said.
"(The trail) is not just for the Harrison community, but the entire Warsaw and surrounding community," Mehlberg said.
Harrison Principal Randy Polston said the school property already is being used by the community to the point where there almost is a trail beaten down.
While he said there is a greenway in Warsaw, there is no place on the north side of U.S. 30 for people to walk. The trail at Harrison will offer people a place to walk on the north side.
Polston said donations are still coming in for the trail and stations. Cost to sponsor a station is $750. Eventually, Polston said they would like to see the half-mile trail stretch to a full mile. Right now, however, they only have money for the half mile.
Menards donated $25,000 toward the trail, with an anonymous donor matching that donation.
"My dream has been to make this a learning campus for students and family," said Polston, "and this will add to it."
