Conservation on the Ground –
Phil Campbell Elementary Plans Walking Trail used with permission of Tom Smith, Writer for Times Daily Newspaper,
Florence, AL
A freshly laid walking trail winds through scattered trees and around the two-acre plot behind Phil Campbell Elementary School. "Right here will be a gazebo, and over there will be a butterfly garden, and the weather station will be over there,'' pointed out Howard Grissom with excitement in his voice. "Here in the middle will be a fire pit and around the trail will be a bat box, quail habitat and bird study station,'' added Dee Murphy. The two-acre tract is now overgrown, but Murphy and Grissom have the vision and plans to turn the spot into an outdoor classroom. Plans for the outdoor facility have been designed by Murphy Brothers Landscaping, of Florence. Through the efforts of the Northwest Alabama Howard Grissom (left) and Dee Murphy (right) show Bill Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) Moss designs for a new outdoor classroom in Phil Council, Franklin County Soil and Water Conservation Campbell. District, the Natural Resource Conservation Service, and Sen. Roger Bedford, D-Russellville, funding was secured for the project to become a reality. "We're really just getting started," said Grissom, a board member with the local RC&D council. "Give us about 24 months, and this will look totally different." Murphy, a coordinator for the Franklin County Soil and Water Conservation District, said they were in the process of getting the layout for the project completed. "We did the walking trail, and that helped us with the layout,'' he said as he and Grissom looked over the design with Franklin County Superintendent Bill Moss.”We're going to be doing some of the work along with parent and student volunteer groups. I would think it will be completed within two years.'' The outdoor classroom will include an amphitheater stage area with earth-filled seating for 100. "Also, there will be an insect study area and artifact study station,'' Grissom said. ”Plus, it will all be landscaped with native plants, and there will be information about each of the plants,'' Murphy added. The Franklin County school system owns the property and is allowing the development. "It will belong to the school, but it will be for anyone to use,'' Grissom pointed out. Moss said once the project is completed, it will be an educational asset to the students. "Our students will be able to go out there and appreciate nature,'' Moss said. ”I really appreciate all the effort that has already gone into this project, and I look forward to seeing it completed.'' Grissom said the project is something he has been working on for several years. "I'm thankful that we're finally getting started,'' he said. ”It's going to be something that we can all be proud of and will benefit the students for years to come.'' Another part of the project, which has already been completed, is the landscaping of the Phil Campbell High School sign on Alabama 13. The landscaping includes a flowerbed and new grass along the roadside. "That has already been a plus, and people are noticing,'' Moss said. In fact, one Phil Campbell resident stopped by recently to express her pleasure. "Whoever did this did a good job,'' she said. "It really looks good.'' Murphy said that's just the beginning. "I can't wait until we get everything completed and the classroom is opened. It's really going to be something to see,'' he said.
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