As an ongoing project, the City of Nickerson is working to provide the community with a free walking trail.
So far, the trail circles the Nickerson Elementary School and has been made possible from grants from the Sunflower Foundation, Engelland Construction, City of Nickerson, fundraising, NICKS and the NES Student Fund, according to Daana Heinlein, the school nurse for USD 309. One fundraising event for this trail included the Jump Rope for Heart at NES.
Plans began when Nickerson Elementary School found that the dirt trail the gym classes had been using wasnat as safe as it could be.
Wanting a safer alternative, the school began looking for grants to provide their classes with an easily accessible walking trail.
After many opinions were bounced around, a final idea spouted a project that would be good for not only the school itself, but for the entire community.
After the first grant was given, the city got together and decided that the new trail could not only be used for the students at NES, but also as a way for the citizens of Nickerson to have a nearby place to take an evening walk, bike ride, or maybe to just work out with a friend.
However, the original idea has expanded a great deal, Heinlein said, and now there are plans to extend the trail at NES down Nickerson Boulevard and around the city park.
To complete construction for the Community Trail, Nickerson needs your support, Heinlein said.
aThe grant applicationas deadline for the extended construction is May 2. We have been promoting the trail like crazy and are still seeking letters of support, petition signatures, and any other support people could give,a she said.
Over the past few weeks, the district had been promoting a naming contest where community members and students were allowed to submit a name for the trail.
Various posters about the trail and contest were posted around the school, and emails were sent out to the teachers and staff hoping that word would spread faster about the trail. It is constructed out of smooth concrete and is very accessible for walking and other modes of transportation including skateboards, bicycles, and scooters.
Heinlein said itas been discussed that a couple of benches and lighting should be added to the trail for those who enjoy walking at earlier or later times.
The City of Nickerson is asking its residents to stand behind it so the trail can happen.
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