13- The NEW WOODLAND TRAIL On The W&M CAMPUS, FROM COMPTON DR. To The NEW ED. BLDG.!!....

A) I really like our new "Compton Trail!" and know you will, too! BUT, those footbridge planks are PLASTIC, not treated WOOD. And they were NOT cheaper. The planks were produced in Virginia. Someone showed me, this week, how easily they scar when tapped! Also, discovered, when a worker revealed to me, that each PLASTIC plank cost approx. $45.00. WOW! What a letdown for this naturalist-kinda guy. However, the beauty of the "Compton Trail" and usefulness far outweighs ANY plastic planks!...honest.

B) The new trail costs over a million $$ (now I know why someone inside the system tried to ignore my questions back in the spring), and the new trail is relatively short in length in comparison to the other 10+ miles of Campus trails, with some dating back to the '30s, with CCC help.
C) One entrance is clearly visible from Compton Dr. in the Camous woods near the back of the W&M Rec Center. When you're going out to Monticello Ave., it's on your right. That entrance is now clearly visible, with a new sidewalk extending past the Rec Center. If you drive up to the back of the new Ed. Bldg. (old location of town hospital), the other entrance is located at the back area across from from the courtyard area. And is an attractive addition for this new section of the Campus.
D) This new trail WILL, I PREDICT, be THE great positive talk of the Campus and town for some time! Nearly all of it is a raised, 532' (measured it myself, recently...walking trail from Compton Dr. is 397'). Plastic planked footbridge winds and meanders over the natural lay of the rugged woodland terrain. The highest section of the walkway is across the marshy creek area, providing terrific natural scenery, with woods and trees and shade and that tiny 'cre'k.' Most who walk on it will want to take their time to enjoy the serenity and flora. This local educator, researcher, author and photographer HAS taken along my trusty Nikon aready. I predict that, this coming winter, there will be a few SNOWY days this winter, perfect for exhilerating Nature walks.
E) PLEASE check out the new trail. It's completed. I did walk all the way through, especially on the 532' of raised footbridge walkway. WOW! LIKE IT.....
F) A new sidewalk, with lighted posts has been built along Compton behind the Rec Center to support this entrance that leads you through the 'wilderness' woodland over to the new Ed. Bldg. The 397' walkway path leading to the start of the footbridge includes lampposts from beginning to end, all the way through the winding, meandering walkway plus bridge. The W&M 'security stations' are now lighted blue, too! At the Compton entrance end is a new sidewalk, with a special crosswalk for walking across the busy Compton to the "Compton Trail" entrance, and the "new" older "Matoaka Trail" entrance is also there, going in the opposite direction, to Lake Matoaka!
G) AND THE FAUNA? Have, at times, seen deer and a WILD turkey or three on the trails. If you start on the older, longest trail off Compton Dr., behind the Rec Center (2nd one, not the 'Matoaka Trail'/1st one, that trail is long and about halfway through is a dip, with marsh and 'cre'k' but be quiet as you walk, to spot the fauna!
H) An added thought about our Campus trails? There are at least 10+ miles of woodland trails, dating back to the '30s, on Campus. Some portions of the trails are in dire need of restoration! Like other research commenteries, a PAPER has been composed and written, always a one-pager, on our W&M Campus trails andhas been shared with many, with anyone welcome to receive a copy.
H) One trail spot is gone, in dire trouble, and is on the older 'Matoaka Trail' (around the lake) directly behind the Art Studio Bldg. And that problem spot on the trail is DANGEROUS to navigate, being quite STEEP!
I) Get invoved, please, and speak out and up, often, about the need to restore our Campus trails for joggers' and hikers' safety, especially this small portion of the Matoaka Trail aroud the Lake. This particular trail, all the way through, is a bit rough to hike. It begins on Compton Dr., behind the Rec Center, and meanders by the Lake all the way over to the restored Amphitheatre by Lake Matoaka. Some of us remember, for years, how this amphitheatre was forgotten, in ruins. But today, with the help of a bold alumnus, the restoration is complete and NOW an active, bucolic setting!
I) ....more coming.....

12- H-E-L-P!...ANYONE WHO ATTENDED W&M During 1960-1979..AND REMEMBERS ANYTHING ABOUT THIS JAMESTOWN ROAD PEDESTRIAN TUNNEL!.....

*****For my expanded research on our underground Jamestown Road pedestrian passageway, open from fall 1960 to the late 1970s, PLEASE share any experience! Thanx!!
rsquire1@cox.net

My introductory description begins with the preceding blog!...#11.