College of Southern Maryland students evaluate the Leonardtown Campus’ fitness trail prior to cleaning up debris and overgrowth left behind by hurricane Isabel.

The trail head is flanked by a worn park bench and a sign bearing the words, “nature trail.” At nine o’clock, the students crane their necks to look down and through their assignment – an overgrown walking path on the College of Southern Maryland’s Leonardtown Campus.

“Our initial goal is to the clear the main path(s). Later, we will look for areas to develop into break-out points – places where families and students can gather for lunch, create art or stop and relax,” said David Frock, chair of CSM’s department of wellness and fitness.

Before shovels, rakes, hoes and clippers are handed out, Frock and Judi Ferrara, CSM’s wellness center coordinator, guide students through what used to be a path. Prior to hurricane Isabel, the Leonardtown fitness trail had been maintained by a local garden club who provided the plant markers the students point out as they work their way through the foliage and brambles.

Many of the students admit they didn’t even know the trail existed and are here playing groundskeeper in order to collect extra credit or service learning points. Others, like Justin Jackson, not only knew about the trail but have walked it in the past. “The last few times I have walked it, I was the only one out here,” said Jackson. “It was kind of nice to have the place to myself, but not everyone likes to walk on a treadmill and this will give others an opportunity to enjoy the trail.”

 
 College of Southern Maryland students clean up debris and overgrowth left behind by hurricane Isabel on the Leonardtown campus fitness trail as part of a service learning project sponsored by the college.

Andrew Colon, a CSM student and a Marine reserve member scheduled to deploy to Iraq in June, had seen the trail several times but, “but never had the time to walk it.” As he yanks out a mat of dense vines, Colon says he hopes “others will see the beauty of the trail and want to help.” He declares that clearing the trail and helping others, is “a great way to spend a Saturday morning.”

As the students whack at the weeds, pull brush and get dirt beneath their finger nails, the trail starts to take shape. Ferrara hopes the initial clean-up will inspire others to work on the trail. “It would be wonderful if we could get the community involved. Botanist and gardening clubs could classify the species, topographers could mark out the trail and develop a map, others could install trail markers. The trail could serve as a multi-level service learning project where students and faculty could apply their education to nature, and connect with the community.”

For information on the Leonardtown fitness trail call Ferrara, 301-475-8799.