Handicapped accessible trail, boardwalk planned at Navarino

After several years of discussion and planning, the accessible trail and boardwalk around the Navarino Nature Center site and Glenn’s pond is coming to pass later this summer.

Staff noticed an increased need to improve accessibility to the grounds of the nature center.

Progress was gradually started with several memorial donations from the families of Cal Brockman, Herb Behnke and Dick Karst. A “Healthy Hearts Challenge” from the Harold Pevonka estate matched up to $25,000 of individual donations toward the project in 2014.

The trail will be a quarter mile long, gently rolling through one of the prairies of Navarino, meeting up with a 300-foot long boardwalk that will span across Glenn’s Pond.

The boardwalk will be eight-feet wide with curbing and railings for the safety of those using wheel chairs, decking and rails made up of composite decking.

Two observation platforms, shaped like lily pads, provide resting stations or areas for groups to study pond habitat. Interpretive signage will be along the trail and on the boardwalk. Crossing the boardwalk will bring visitors along the forest edge before returning to the nature center.

“This boardwalk will be different in comparison to the two other boardwalks we have at Navarino”, said Tim Ewing, nature center director. “Our other two boardwalks are floating boardwalks crossing bog habitats, with the structure lying on the moss and vegetation. The Glenn’s pond boardwalk will be elevated on pilings over the pond and open water.”

Miron Construction will begin construction on the boardwalk portion of the project soon, depending on the weather. “The budget for the boardwalk portion of the project is $214,000,” Ewing said. “The trail portion costs are an additional $7,000. This trail and boardwalk will greatly improve access, and the program offerings that staff and volunteers can offer at Navarino.”

Rawhide Boys Ranch will be helping with trail preparations to improve access for construction of the boardwalk.

Funding towards the boardwalk and trail are still needed.