New Walking Trail Opens at PHCC

Cutting a ribbon to open a new trail at Patrick Henry Community College and the city reservoir are (from left) Ron Epperly of PHCC; Jennifer Doss, tourism director and formerly with the Dan River Basin Association; Brian Williams of DRBA; Martinsville Mayor Kim Adkins; Jim Frith of Frith Construction, which had the contract to build the trail; Martinsville City Manager Clarence Monday; City Parks and Recreation director Gary Cody; and Jeff Mansour of the Harvest Foundation, which paid for the trail. Thanks to a unique partnership between Patrick Henry Community College, Martinsville City, The Harvest Foundation and Dan River Basin Association, the community has a new hiking and biking trail through the woods around the beautiful Beaver Creek Reservoir. The project was funded by Harvest with in-kind donations from Martinsville City Parks and Recreation Department. Land easements were provided by PHCC and Martinsville City. The project was developed by Dan River Basin Association (DRBA) and trail construction was completed by Frith Construction Company. Additional work was provided by Boy Scout Troop 63 which built benches and picnic tables that were installed by Martinsville Parks and Recreation at various points along the scenic trail. The Beaver Creek Reservoir is also known as the Martinsville Reservoir and is a source of drinking water for the City of Martinsville. The natural setting of this beautiful lake makes it ideal for hiking, fishing and nature viewing. Surrounded by steep hills and lush forest, canoeing, kayaking and fishing are also favorite activities at the lake. The trailhead and parking is located at the upper level parking area adjacent to the Frith Building on the campus of Patrick Henry Community College. Students and the general public have easy access to the trail from campus parking lot. Future plans include extending the trail around the edge of the reservoir and connecting it to a parking area located across the lake from PHCC, at the end of boat ramp drive. The trail is considered a multi-use trail and is open to hiking, mountain biking, running, and nature viewing. Trail users are asked to “share the trail” and help keep the area clean and beautiful by “taking only photographs and leaving only footprints”. PHCC Trail Loop of the Beaver Creek Reservoir Trails & Smith River Trail System is approximately 3/4 of a mile long natural surface trail to be used by hikers, mountain bikers, and to be utilized as an out-door classroom for PHCC students.