La Veta Trails Fall 2015 Newsletter

La Veta Trails Fall 2015 Newsletter

SCHOOL NATURE TRAIL GETS A BOOST

The Huerfano County LiveWell Board approved a $2,000 grant that partially funds improvements to the quartermile School Nature Trail located at E. Garland and Birch Streets. In 2005, the School Nature Trail was built by Emery Ashby, La Veta Science Teacher, and his students with lots of help from the community and GOCO funding.

According to his widow, Mary Ashby, he envisioned the park to serve as an educational setting so students would have a hands-on experience learning about the outdoors.

La Veta Trails joined forces with the La Veta School District and the Town to restore the trail and its educational purpose. While we did not receive all the funds needed, we have plans to apply to other funding sources so we can complete the restoration in the spring.

GET YOUR 150 A WEEK

On September 15th, the Surgeon General announced a Call to Action to promote more physical activity. 150 minutes per week of moderate cardio activity for adults and 1 hour per day for children promotes health by reducing many chronic diseases and supporting positive mental health and healthy aging. Walking is one of the best activities because it is affordable, easy, does not require special skills or equipment, and most people can walk -- some with the help of a cane or walker. We believe a good trail system will promote more physical activity if it is designed to connect destinations that capitalize on La Veta's charm, gives people something beautiful to look at, and connects them to places to stay, eat, shop, and to our local people who help make the experience so positive. With these objectives in mind, we have planned a walking route that ties together the Town Park, Wahatoya State Wildlife Area, La Veta Cemetery, School Nature Trail and Main St.

WIN A CHANCE FOR A $500 SCHOLARSHIP!

by Edie Flanagin, LiveWell

We need students to design a logo for the Huerfano County trail system. If you think you can handle this, submit your logo entry by Oct. 31st. If your logo is chosen, you win the scholarship and your design will be displayed on county trails. The contest is open to all Huerfano County High School students age 14-19. The entry form is available at the schools in Walsenburg and La Veta. FMI, call 719-742-5598. Here are a few examples of trail logos. Notice the easy to recognize graphics. Can you design one?

Trails Do Not Build Themselves La Veta Trails volunteers have spent 300+ hours on trail planning, trail work, fund raising and networking to create a community trail system for all ages and abilities in La Veta with connections to regional trails in Huerfano County.

Wahatoya Lake - a beautiful place to get your 150.

TOWN BOARD OPENS ELM STREET

The La Veta Town Board of Trustees voted to re-open Elm St. It will take a couple years before it is opened to motorized traffic while the Town builds the roadway between E. Virginia and E. Field Streets. This section will be open to pedestrians once gates have been installed.

The Town Board's action creates a direct route between the Wahatoya State Wildlife Area and the cemetery.

Join the La Veta Trails Walkers, every Saturday morning

from 9:00-10:00am, starting Oct. 10th. Meet at the Town Park across from the Bakery. This will be a gentle exercise group focused on walking and other outdoor activities. Our destination on Oct. 24th will be the School Nature Trail followed by a session of yoga stretches at the Yoga Studio with Judy Sims Barlow. Free!

MEET JOHN COSTEA

You can help build trails by becoming a member.

Please complete the following information: Name(s):__________________________________________ Mailing Address:____________________________________ Primary Telephone Number:___________________________ Email: ____________________________________________

Buddy in the lead followed by John, Jeanne and Stirling, heading to work on the Wahatoya Lake Trail.

Most people know John as the "Ice Cream Guy" at the Farmer's Markets in La Veta and Gardner. You may not know that John is a La Veta Trails Board member and our Volunteer Trail Master. John has always enjoyed hiking, often taking the path less traveled and at a slow pace.

Since joining the La Veta Trails Board, he has conducted a major clean-up of the Daigre Reservoir and Wahatoya Lake Trails. John worked for L.L. Bean, an outdoor retail store, for fourteen years. While volunteering for the Maine Audubon, he led guided canoe tours, school group day trips, installed trail systems, lead a Maine Conservation team for a summer and was a caretaker for an island sanctuary off the coast of Maine. Since moving to the southwest, John continues his volunteer service and enjoyment of the outdoors with his dog, Buddy, as they take their early morning hikes and talking to the wildlife they encounter

Choose Your Annual Membership Level* ___ $10 Student/Senior Membership (age 65+ years) ___ $25 Individual Membership ___ $35 Family Membership * 2015 memberships will not expire until December 31, 2016.

Or, support trails by making a tax-deductible donation: ___ ___ ___ ___

$100 $250 $500 Other__________________

Please make your check payable to: La Veta Trails, Inc. Mail this form with your check to: La Veta Trails, P.O. Box 202, La Veta, CO 81055-0202.

FMI call (719) 742-5598.

TRAIL UPDATES

Daigre Reservoir Trail is a serene spot to take a walk with family, friends or your pooch. We are grooming the Wahatoya Lake Trail, which is a big job. Take a walk on the School Nature Trail and see the stunning view of the mountains from the painted benches. Better yet, bring a picnic lunch while you enjoy the view.

Daigre Reservoir Trail Stirling, John, Philip and Mark, who is carrying our new weed trimmer, at the end of a work session on the Wahatoya Lake Trail.

Daigre Reservoir Trail is an easy 1 mile walk around the reservoir through woods and along the edge of the water.

Note: After rain, you may encounter water run off on the southwest side, so take care crossing this wet area.

Trailhead Directions: Drive east on Moore Ave for about one mile to parking lot on the left.

Thank you to all the people who have helped create this trail system: Sandy Helwig, Deb Nott, Lonnie Brown, John Costea, Mark and Tanya White, Lynda Grissom, Stirling Lathrop, Mary Jean Fowler, Jean Schwarz, Phil Kaplan, Lone Ewing, Heloise Lynn, Sandy and Charlie Hackbarth, Shane and Shar Clouse, Liz Henson, Betty Rains, Jill Schwarz, Candy Jones, Jim Vidamoor, Greg and Luba Gendelev, DeEtta Lessar and Marilyn Russell.