Blazing new trails: Student clears paths, improves lakefront access

Christian Schell, a rising senior at Nashotah House, has worked throughout his time as a student to create better lakefront access for the community by clearing trails.

Through hard work and the help of the community, Schell has established new pathways for seminarians and their families to enjoy.

Schell, whose background includes tree work and mountaineering in Colorado and British Columbia, describes the project vision and the work it’s taken to bring it to fruition.

How did you decide where to start when clearing? Where does the trail begin and end?

“The biggest considerations are terrain and location: where does a trail fit into the landscape? And where would one like a trail to go? I’ve spent most of my efforts between the gym and the beach to create access to the lakefront and amongst the green belt. The trail begins behind the (Peaks apartments) family housing with two access points, follows the property line towards the gym with access in the parking lot, and on towards the lake with access behind the Blue House. The single-track continues along the hillside to the beach. There is access from the faculty lot beside the chapel, but it is rather steep.”

What tools did you use and how long did it take you to complete?

“I’ve primarily utilized a couple top handle chainsaws for much of the brush removal, a pick, shovel, and some primal yawps. The work is ongoing; the forest has many dead ash trees making their way horizontal, encumbering the path.”

What were some challenges involved in clearing trails?

“The greatest challenge is the time required. An hour with a pickaxe may only level 30 feet among a couple thousand; it’s slow moving. The project has worked well with the loving work of Nashotah House neighbors Cherie and Steve Barth and their hope to restore the undergrowth and character of the forest. There are many invasive species in conflict. The buckthorn is and will continue to be a troublemaker. It is very aggressive with seed production and maintains its foliage from spring until late fall, out competing most, if not all, native species. The work is important to stewarding the beautiful setting in which Nashotah House is integral.”

What makes trail work enjoyable for you?

“I’m not an indoor cat. (I like) pockets full of saw dust, dirty nails, sweat, bug bites, and a cool dip in the lake. I worked with a gardener for a few seasons, and he used to tell me this thought about a radio, ‘I can’t abide furniture that talks.’ Perhaps it’s a recognition of the life we give dead things and neglect we give living things.”

Who worked with you?

“I feel like I’m no more than a small set of hands for the wonderful vision of our neighbors, Cherie and Steve Barth, graduate Jay Thomas’ family, graduate Ian Hyde and his wife, Erin; student spouse Elizabeth Hollinger, graduate Parker Asplin, the Bott family, and the Wheatley ladies have all been wonderful movers and shakers.”

What kind of maintenance is ongoing?

“Mulching, raking, leveling, chain sawing, weed spraying and control, controlled burnings to reduce down fuel (wood), and decorating.”

How can someone best help the trail or do their part when they’re enjoying these pathways?

“The best way to enjoy a path is to walk on it. Paths grow unruly without a little foot traffic. Cassocks beware (I recommend unbuttoning to at least your knees).”