The yellow highlighting shows the path of the proposed walk/run trail for Wheatland Center School.
The Wheatland Center School Board has approved the development of a 1.5 mile walking/running trail on the school grounds.
The idea of a trail was brought to the school by Linda Sabourin, the school’s track coach. She said the team uses the fields to the west of the school building for practice, but the uneven surface makes for a frequent turned ankles and such. Sabourin said she also runs with her own family and has to run along local highways, a less than perfect situation.
“I just wanted to find a safe haven for our kids to run,” Sabourin said.
District administrator Jason Tadlock said Sabourin did extensive research and planning for the trail, coming up with a route and lining up quotes for material where paths will need to be constructed. She also lined up people with equipment who are prepared to volunteer labor and machinery for excavation. Volunteers also will spread materials on the paths. The preferred material of crushed limestone for the paths would cost $5,000.
“She’s done a lot of homework and a lot of research,” Tadlock said of Sabourin. “I was very pleased with the idea given our neighborhood areas don’t have sidewalks.”
The board approved pursuing the trail contingent on a favorable survey and no insurance problems.
Sabourin said her volunteers are ready to excavating yet this fall.
