November 6, 2015 at 4:51 p.m.
New bench dedicated at Ministry Saint Mary's Hospital
New bench dedicated at Ministry Saint Mary's Hospital
By Kayla Thomason-
The new bench complements the newly-paved trail near the hospital.
The bench is made out of recycled plastic, is a Wisconsin product from Allen Ventures and cost $411. This is the second bench the Oneida County Biking and Walking Trails Council (OCBWTC) has purchased. The other is located near Taco Bell.
"It's for the community and we are an organization very concerned about the health and welfare of the people in our community," said Jackie Cody, president of Oneida County Biking and Walking Trails Council.
It took a full day to install the bench and eventually concrete will be poured around it.
The OCBWTC approached Ministry about building the trail, which connects Eisenhower Parkway to Lincoln Street.
Ministry agreed to build the path this year as there were construction crews already working on the parking lot and inside the hospital. The paved trail makes it easier for patients and others to get around without having to navigate a rutted dirt trail or busy N. Shore Drive.
Sandy Anderson, vice president of Ministry's Northern Region and president of St. Mary's Hospital, said she thinks it is very important to have user-friendly trails for people who choose to walk instead of use transportation.
"As we continue to promote health and wellness, it's really important to be able to do something with the community to make that happen," she said.
The OCBWTC is thrilled to have the trail complete.
"It's an exciting day for Oneida County Biking Walking Trails Council," said Cody. "We've waited several years for this to occur and there's been wonderful cooperation from Ministry Medical Group to make this a viable and realized project."
The trail will be kept clear in winter so people can continue to access it.
Ministry officials said they will leave the woods around the trail natural, as there is quite a bit of wildlife in that area.
Anderson said she would be happy to have 50 or so people use the trail on a daily basis.
"I think in good weather months we will have that because we do have a large number of walkers and this will give them easy access," she said.
Anderson said she ran the trail before it was paved and is excited to use it now that it is complete.
Kayla Breese may be reached at [email protected].
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