By Ezra Neumann | The Broadside (Contact: [email protected])

Central Oregon Community College has had a track for many years, but come this spring the campus will be improving upon our trail, running through the woods northwest of the track. Bill Douglass, director of Club Sports at COCC, explained that the trail will be a 1.35 mile-long course, and  will include signs every ¼ mile to allow students and faculty alike to know where they are along the way

This course will be available to anyone who is interested in running or walking. It’s a  “nice, and clearly marked trail,” Douglass said.

The trail has already been in existence but is receiving funding from the Parks and Recreation department to improve and renovate. According to Douglass, the department is giving nearly $4,000 from their budget to improve the trail.

The Sports and Recreation Department will be responsible for maintaining the trail after its completion in the spring. This trail is completely separate from the quarter-mile track that is already on campus.

Its starting point [pictured] will be located next to the residence halls so that students living on campus will have more accessibility. The signs that will be included on the trail will give directions to running or walking participants as well as where you are along the trail.

Douglass is excited to have a trail that runs through the woods as opposed to the track and feels that it is an exciting new addition to the Bend campus.

Andy Garcia, a sophomore, was shocked to hear that there was a trail at all, and that it was being improved upon by this spring. Garcia is excited to check out the trail but stated that he will not be using the trail during the winter months. “I’m personally noy a huge cardio person, but I think that this trail will be a far more exciting way to get some exercise compared to the circular track we have on campus,” he said.

Freshman Sean Cambel, having participated at his cross-country track team throughout most of his high school career, will be using the trail every day given that the weather is “warm and dry enough.” Cambel is excited to have a more interesting course to run as opposed to the track that is so “boring and squarishly circular.” ■