Placing the culvert.

On Sunday, 10/8, fifteen Naples Central School (NCS) students, members of the Outdoor Adventures class, taught by Mr. Jon Betrus, and National Honor Society, advised by Mrs. Colleen Betrus, participated in a trail maintenance activity. Students worked on a section of the Bristol Hills branch of the Finger Lakes Trail that starts at West Hill Preserve on Seman Rd. and ends just above Bob’s & Ruth’s restaurant in Naples.

Collecting rocks to protect the culvert.

Earlier this year, Mr. Gideon Hanggi, built a bridge across a small gully on his property to provide a better way for hikers to cross. To ensure the bridge’s longevity, NCS students helped insert a culvert pipe near the new foot bridge. This culvert will help divert water away from the new bridge. Students dug room for the pipe, found stones to make a base, and graded the area for hikers. The students had the pleasure of working with Stephen Lewandowski, Mark Hopkins (Springwater Trails Hiking Group), and Donna Noteware (Finger Lakes Trail).

Naples students have helped maintain other sections of the Finger Lakes Trail throughout the last four years. In the past, students have volunteered to clean various sections of the trail in the surrounding Naples area, such as sections in Hi Tor. Students also helped build steps near another foot bridge on the trail on Parrish Hill last year. Students can use these volunteer hours toward their community service requirements as honor students or for senior privileges. The group looks forward toward another trail maintenance day in the spring.

We built a stone wall at the top of the culvert.