Walking Trail and Outdoor Classroom Project
Construction is underway on the new community walking trail, outdoor classrooms, and beautification project near the new Perry Junior High School and Maroon Athletic Center on 15th Street. This project is funded by generous donors and grant dollars.
The plans for the walking trail will have a paved path that loops around the PJH/MAC facility. The length of the trail will be approximately half a mile and it will have lighting along the entire path. It will also include two outdoor classrooms and a pond.
In addition, the trail will provide a learning experience of Oklahoma’s geography by recreating some of the state’s major ecoregions along the trail with native vegetation, grasses, wildflowers and informative signage. Signage will tell the story of each ecosystem and wildlife living within each habitat, such as the Great Plains, Flint Hills, or Cross Timbers.
Many entities are to thank for helping fund this project.
In the fall of 2021, The Toro Company awarded a Greenspace Enhancement Grant to support this project. The grant program is a part of Toro’s Land. Water. Thrive. initiative to promote outdoor environments and help communities enrich the beauty of the land for the health, well-being and enjoyment of everyone. With this grant award and Toro’s matching opportunity, a total amount of $160,000 has been donated by The Toro Company.
“This was a very exciting kickstart to the project,” said Jason Proctor, President of the Perry Public Schools Board of Education. “Toro’s Greenspace program is a worldwide initiative and it’s incredible we were among the top projects selected.”
While the grant award set the project in motion, a considerable amount of funding was still needed. Being a project to benefit the community of Perry, both local banks stepped up to pledge support. Exchange Bank and First Bank and Trust each matched the initial $80,000 Toro Greenspace grant dollars.
“From the beginning we were eager to participate in seeing the school board’s vision for the outdoor space become a reality,” said Zack Hall, Chief Executive Officer of Exchange Bank. “Perry is incredibly fortunate to have a community partner such as Toro. Their generous grant and matching funds will make a huge impact. This amenity will beautify the school in a useful way and the community will benefit from it for generations to come.” Shelbi Duke, President and Chief Operations Officer of First Bank and Trust, stated, “We are excited to continue to support Perry Public Schools and their commitment to making our children’s education experience unique and top notch. FB&T is always proud to partner with the local schools in our communities.”
The Perry Board of Education approved the walking trail and outdoor classroom project up to $320,000 at the September 12 board meeting.
The first phase of construction is digging out the pond, which is currently in progress by Big J Dozer Services. If the project stays on track, the anticipated completion timeframe is in the summer of 2023.
