Roachdale opens new fitness trail

Thursday, May 29, 2008
Roachdale Elementary first grade teacher Jennifer Simpson holds one end of the ribbon as Stephanie Sheldon, Shrubworks of Roachdale gets ready to officially open the Community Fitness Trail built by students, staff and community members at the school. Helping hold the ribbon are fifth grade teacher Beth Taylor and fourth grade teacher Jonathon Shannon. All four teachers worked on the committee to create trail. The entire student body was present for the ribbon cutting Tuesday.

It may be the last day of school for Roachdale Elementary students but it is just the beginning for the community fitness trail that they helped to build. Tuesday was the official ribbon cutting, opening the trail to the community.

Using a Learn and Serve Indiana mini-grant from the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE), the school formed a committee with teachers Jennifer Simpson, Beth Taylor, Kerry Ferguson, Joanie Knapp and Jonathon Shannon taking the lead on the project.

They created a fitness trail that will be used not only by the students but is open to the entire community.

The trail was dug out and the stone laid in by students, teachers and community members in early May. Then a layer of topsoil was placed. Flowerbeds with annuals and perennials were planted. Classes participating in the creation of the trail were first, fourth and fifth grades plus Physical Education classes.

The school hopes to add to the property with additional walking trails, flower gardens, amphitheater and an outdoor classroom.

The trail is located on the southeast side of Roachdale Elementary School.

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