Employees from James City County and James City Service Authority recently volunteered alongside community members from James River Elementary PTA, Tiki Tree & Landscape, Five Brothers Lawn Care, the Home Depot Foundation, Water’s Edge Church, United Way and Henry S. Branscome Contractors to help James River Elementary School unveil a new outdoor classroom. A ribbon cutting ceremony was held on Oct. 4.
In 2003, an existing outdoor classroom was abandoned when the trail leading to it was blocked by several large trees downed during Hurricane Isabel.
Over 90 days, local businesses, community organizations and volunteers worked together to clear the path, prepare the walkway, spread mulch, line the trail with railroad ties, repair existing benches and construct a new classroom at the head of the trail for better accessibility.
The classroom will be used by teachers to provide a natural learning space for all grade levels.