Despite clouded skies and sporadic rain, members of the community came together for Celebrate the Trail on Saturday to walk from the university to Burdette Park.
Celebrate the Trail was a joint effort between the university and Burdette Park to recognize the USI-Burdette Trail. The event took place between 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., and lunch was served at noon. Those who attended could sign up at a table manned by volunteers and then immediately begin walking the trail.
A wide array of people attended the event, from large families to couples, to cyclists. Participants spread out all along the USI-Burdette Trail until lunch. Volunteers handed out water along the way to keep everyone hydrated.
The event is a wonderful opportunity for the university and Burdette Park to share the trail with the community, said David Enzler, director of Recreation, Fitness and Wellness at the university.
“I see a lot of people out here, plenty of students and young families with strollers or walking dogs,” Enzler said.
Enzler said that he appreciates the people who worked toward creating the trail and those who maintain it because he enjoys using the trail, just like many others in the community.
“I use (the trail) almost every day, running or riding, since it’s only thirty feet from my building,” Enzler said. “Every time they add something to the trail, whether it’s benches or something else, it just gets better and better.”
One member of the community who enjoys the trail is Bill Centifanto, an alumni who attended the event with his family.
“We walk (the trail), run it, bike it and come out whenever we can,” Centifanto said.
Marilyn Smith said she was invited to walk the trail by her neighbor, Linda Paxton.
“I walked the trail about a week ago,” Smith said. “I’ve probably walked the trail about five times in the past year, but I never finished walking the whole way until I went with (Paxton).”
Free lunch was served at Cabin 18 in Burdette Park located at the end of the trail. Volunteers served hot dogs, bratwursts, chips and soda. Participants ate their meal and chatted with one another at tables inside the cabin.
“We’re just so happy to see all of you out there enjoying (the trail),” said Cheryl Musgrave, former Vanderburgh County Assessor.
Musgrave was one of the trail’s main advocates when first securing state funding for the project.
“Any time an elected official says we need some money to do a quality of life project, think of your fun time spent here,” Musgrave said, “that’s what they’re talking about.”
Jerry Grannan, assistant manager at Burdette Park, said continued community support is vital to maintaining the trail.
“The trail is all about wellness and fitness,” Grannan said. “Keep supporting that.”
Grannan also thanked the university and its staff for their role in the trail’s formation and maintenance.
“We have a really unique relationship with the college,” Grannan said. “They’re really great to work with, and I hope that we continue this relationship.”
