Eagle Scout Candidate Alex Cattoti worked with local residents to design and build a 1.5 miles nature trail through some underutilized woods in the park. Alex researched the trees and raised funds to pay for the tree labels. KDb appllied for and was awarded a grant from Durham Open Space and Trails Commission to put in an educational kiosk, with information that Alex put together about the park and the plants, trees, and wildlife in the park. (still pending) The trail was cleared and laid with four inches of mulch to create a long lasting and attractive path.

The woods beside the park before Alex’s team got to work.

Alex meets with local residents to find out what they want in a nature trail.

A local forester teacher Alex how to identify local trees.

Trees that are chosen for tree identification signs are marked by tape.

The clean up crew is ready to work.

Dead or dying trees are removed to widen the trail.

Another work day, another hardworking crew.

Clearing roots, weeds, and debris right down to the dirt, this smoothes the path and makes it easier to walk on and to maintain..

Volunteers work to put down a thick layer of chipped wood to maintain a weed free path that is comfortable to walk on.

One view of the trail.

Another view of the trail.

Tree Identification signs are placed. Alex marked over 40 species of tree along the trail..

Another tree identification sign is placed by a tree by Alex’s Dad.

Tree identification signs use both the common and the Latin name of the tree.

Alex’s mother helps find the marked trees along the trail.