White Alloe Watch

Fall 2000

TRAIL UPDATE

by Jim Reed, PNS Director

 Have you visited your Parkville Nature Sanctuary lately? Many enhancements have been completed and several projects are in the works.

 A partial roof over the Jeanette Robbins Meeting Place (the old Girl Scout cabin) has created a shelter for our day camp, family ghost story night, and other events. There were over 100 volunteers contributing to the success of this project. Kelly Batcheller, a founding member of the PNS Committee, former Girl Scout, and architect, designed the roof. She received an honor award for small projects from the AIA for this design, which replicates tree trunks and branches supporting the roof.  The project took volunteers nine months to complete. To finance the project, Girl Scouts recycled aluminum cans. A private donation, a grant from the Kauffman Foundation, and a gift from the Parkville American Legion also contributed to the project.  Hats off to all those who participated. It looks great!

The Parkville Nature Sanctuary has a close connection with Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Webelos, Brownies, Cub Scouts, Tiger Cubs, and Daisies.  There have been a considerable number of community work projects done at the PNS by these groups.  Boy Scouts have done 49 projects to satisfy their community service requirement for the Eagle Award.  These projects have made PNS a better place.

Trails are blazed in the White Alloe Creek Conservation Area. Two sets of steps have been installed on the steep switchbacks.  Numerous erosion control projects help to keep our soil and rocks in place. Anti-slip treads have been adhered to our boardwalk.

A butterfly garden was created using native plants to attract the butterflies.  The meadow adjacent to this area will eventually become a short-grass prairie.  You can watch as this 2-year-long process progresses.

Eagle Scout candidates are now in the process of installing trail signs.  The trails have been named Old Kate Trail, Blue Bird Trail, White Tail Trail, Paw Paw Path, and Butterfly Pass.  This project should be complete by Spring 2001.

As you are exploring the improvements, notice the steps that have been built to descend into the root cellar. We will eventually recreate this cellar to illustrate the way it was used in 1900.

Have any of you walked on our ADA Trail? Now named Blue Bird Trail, it is located off of 12^th Street and winds to the left along White Alloe Creek.  The trail goes through the south meadow, crosses a swale over the creek and then winds through the north meadow, eventually connecting with the boardwalk.  This trail is level with a smooth walking surface and offers scenic views.

PNS is constantly evolving. The fall and early winter is a wonderful time to hike in the woods and experience our new trails. It’s always exciting to encounter a deer, hear a turkey or see the flash of a bluebird. We have plenty of all these!

If you want to become involved with the PNS Committee, Please call me at Parkville City Hall 741-7676. I look forward to talking with you.