Two people check out an improved trail at Harvest Square Nature Preserve. CONTRIBUTED

MADISON COUNTY – Land Trust of North Alabama has opened two hard-pack surfaced trails at their Harvest Square Nature Preserve.

The Land Trust held a dedication ceremony on June 24 with Madison County District 4 Commissioner Phil Vandiver assisting with the program.

“This project was made possible by a grant from the Jane K. Lowe Foundation,” Land Trust Executive Director Marie Bostick. “The completed project on this very popular nature preserve is one that will benefit the community for years to come.”

“Harvest Square Nature Preserve is one of our five preserves and is the first of its kind in the Harvest area. Families and groups have come to love the ponds, trails and picnic pavilion,” Bostick said.

Residents had requested that the Land Trust improve access to the two naturally stocked ponds. The original paths were uneven grass surface, typically four feet wide.

“Now, the two trails, Eagle Trail and Beaver Dam Trail, have a hard-pack, level, fine-gravel surface and are approximately eight feet wide with a 12- to 14-foot clear corridor,” Bostick said. “These trails are perfect for walking or using a stroller or wheelchair.”

In addition to the Jane K. Lowe Foundation, the Land Trust acknowledged support from Matthew Gillespie, Kerry Harbough and Vandiver for path design, hard-pack trail building and gravel parking upgrade.

Harvest Square Nature Preserve’s address is 111 Allyson Sadie Blvd. From U. S. 72, go north on Hwy. 53 for 9.2 miles. Harvest Square Shopping Center is on the right at the corner of Hwy. 53 and Jeff Road. The preserve is just east of Publix supermarket on Allyson Sadie Boulevard.

The Land Trust of North Alabama, Alabama’s first land trust, is the only local organization dedicated to preserving natural lands, water resources and wildlife habitat in 10 counties of North Alabama. Residents and visitors alike enjoy hiking and biking on 60-plus miles of free public trails in five nature preserves.

For more information, call 256.534.LAND or visit LandTrustNAL.org or Facebook/Land Trust of North Alabama.