Nature for All
The Harris Center is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, including ensuring that our trails and grounds are welcoming spaces for all, regardless of range of physical ability. To that end, we are installing additional benches on our trails and grounds, with the aim of helping people of all ages and abilities enjoy the great outdoors by providing places to rest and enjoy the scenery. In late 2022, we kicked off our bench-building initiative with our inaugural Hike-a-Thon, raising $2,588 for benches.
Former Outreach Manager Lisa Murray kicks back on a freshly installed bench. (photo © Audrey Dunn)
Money raised, the next step was finding a woodshop where the bench pieces could be fabricated. When Dylan Pierpont at the Dublin School heard about the project, he volunteered equipment, space, and students to help! He also connected us with LaValley Building Supply in West Chesterfield, who generously donated lumber for the project.
To date, eight benches have been built, five of which have been installed, three on our grounds with help from our Keene State Conservation Interns: along Orr’s Edge trail, in the secret garden under the yews, and overlooking our pollinator garden. The remainder will be placed in locations along our hiking trails, guided by a trail accessibility audit performed in 2022.
Our KSC Conservation Interns helped install benches on our grounds in summer 2023. (photo © Audrey Dunn)
On our grounds, we have benches at the pollinator garden (pictured here), along Orr's Edge Trail, and under the yew trees. (photo © Audrey Dunn)
Several of the benches feature plaques dedicated to members of the Harris Center community. (photo © Audrey Dunn)
Several of the benches feature plaques dedicated to members of the Harris Center community, including our Community Programs Director and teacher-naturalist Susie Spikol, long-time supporters Carl and Francie Von Mertens, the Harris Center’s Red Oak Leadership Society, and our neighbors and friends Sy Montgomery and Howard Mansfield.
This project was shepherded by our former Outreach Manager and DEI working group member Lisa Murray, who helped push forward a host of DEI initiatives during her tenure at the Harris Center.
The Harris Center will continue to make improvements to our grounds, trails, and lands to increase access to nature for people of all abilities.
