Columbia, SC, August 31, 2016
Students, staff, district and city officials, members of the Columbia chapter of The Links, Inc., Contract Construction, Inc., and other construction company representatives participated in a groundbreaking ceremony to kick off construction on an exercise fitness trail at Burton-Pack Elementary School on August 31, 2016.
Students at Burton-Pack Elementary School soon will have an interactive exercise fitness trail on their campus that they can use daily. The project is an initiative of the Columbia chapter of The
Links, Inc., which “adopted” Burton-Pack in 2014. Three local construction companies – Brownstone Construction, Contract Construction and Orion Construction – are donating the labor and materials for the exercise fitness trail.
A groundbreaking ceremony was held August 31 to kick off the project. Speakers were Burton-Pack Principal Dr. Sarah G. Smith; Brandolyn Pinkston and Bettie Owens of The Links; Richland One
Superintendent Dr. Craig Witherspoon; and Columbia Mayor Steve Benjamin. Attendees included Burton-Pack students and staff and members of the Belvedere Neighborhood Association.
When completed in November, the exercise fitness trail will include several exercise stations with signs that give step-by-step instructions on various physical activities, such as jumping jacks or situps. The exercise fitness trail also will feature benches and student gardens.
Engaging in regular physical activity has been shown to have many benefits, including helping to improve students’ academic performance and their overall wellness.
“The students and Belvedere community members are excited about having an exercise trail on site. It is conveniently located and students will have easy access to exercise on a daily basis,” said
Dr. Smith.
credit: Richland County School District One “This Week” Newsletter – Volume 30, No. 4 – September 6, 2016