History of the Trails
Westwood Garden Club-USI’s Original Conservationists
The Westwood Garden Club had always played a huge part in community beautification and West Side improvement. They hoped to create partnerships with the young University that would be beneficial to the wooded areas surrounding the construction.
The Garden Club found the young president of the University, David L. Rice, and his wife, Betty, to be enthusiastic and equally knowledgeable of nature. The Garden Club was granted permission to create a plan for walkable trails.
Westwood Garden Club spent nearly 15 years making improvements in conservation and preservation at USI that can be seen on the trails and in the Outdoor Education Center. Today, the trail system includes a stone lodge that was original to the property, a restored 1800s log house and Appalachian barn, a turn of the century brick schoolhouse and a natural amphitheater.
2010 Bent Twig Service-Learning Project
In the Fall of 2009, the Director of USI's Service-Learning Program, Dr. Anne Statham, Professor of Sociology, led several students through a refresh of the Bent Twig Trails at the northwest corner of campus. Students participating in the project laid gravel and mulch along the trails, cut back the natural growth encroaching on the walking paths and researched what native species could be planted along the paths. Azaleas were planted along the trails leading to Reflection Lake. Working with Dr. Charles Price, professor of science education and Don Fleming, USI's property supervisor, they planted many ferns along the main trail.
Trails Committee
In fall, 2023, a group of USI trail enthusiasts met and formed a USI Trails Committee with a goal of preserving and maintaining the miles of multiuse trails on the University campus, as well as adding signage.
A plan was approved to trim the trails quarterly, and new trail heads and directional signage began to be designed for all three major trail systems on campus. Phase two of the USI's new trail committee will see long term planning in developing, supporting and promoting the trails through events, a social media presence, comprehensive web site and educational materials about the trails and developing partnerships in the community.
