Year-round, Handicapped Accessible Walking Trail & Parking Lot Constructed at New Holly School District Facilities

With funding from the Colorado Health Foundation and the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) Transportation Enhancement Funds, the Holly School District has constructed a walking trail around their recreational facilities that connects with the town of Holly’s Justin Harrington Trail and provides safe and accessible parking for adjacent recreational facilities.

The $160,105 park & walk project was constructed by Adolfson & Peterson Constructors out of Aurora, CO. Design and construction oversight was provided by RTA Architects out of Colorado Springs, CO and grant writing and project administration was provided by Kathy Finau, KSF Strategic Services out of Las Animas, CO.

The completion of this project allows for the year round use of a recreational facility by local, county, and regional organizations. A paved walking trail & parking lot enables the aging populace and handicapped of the area to have ready access to the complex. Improving parking and flow of traffic dramatically increases the safety of the area. Additionally, the Holly School District is instituting a healthy eating curriculum and has teamed up with LiveWell Prowers County on stressing nutrition and exercise. Through a LiveWell Physical Education grant the teachers have received training in new Physical Education standards and adopted a new curriculum to meet these standards. All students are being encouraged to exercise throughout the day. The Holly Park & Walk Project promotes a quality of life that includes wellness and wholesome recreation.

“The physical environment plays a significant role in our ability to make the healthy choice the easy choice,” said Kelly Dunkin, vice president of philanthropy for the Colorado Health Foundation. “The addition of the walking trail provides an essential resource for physical activity for the school district, and the entire Holly community.”

Access to the year-around walking trail will be available in April 2013 once the new Holly School District facility construction is complete.

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Article and Photo Courtesy of Carlyn Yokum