In an effort to impact the fostering of a healthier lifestyle for the students and parents of Valley Vista Elementary School, a new fitness trail was recently completed. A presentation of the project was given at the November 7 School Board meeting, which was introduced by Valley Vista Principal, Jeff Hill, and presented by Physical Education teacher, Nathan Costello.
Hill introduced Costello and a group of staff and students, who talked of how the fitness trail came about. Costello then started the presentation, where he talked about how the idea of the fitness trail started with an email from PTA member Mrs. Reiger last year, who told them about a grant that was available through Lowe’s home improvement store. After some discussion, it was decided that “a fitness trail would tie into our Physical Education curriculum along with our Girls on the Run program,” said Costello. “We were excited when we received the great news from Lowe’s that we were being honored with a $3300 grant,” said Hill.
Meetings then took place with various administrative members of the district, PTA members and businesses to come up with a comprehensive plan. “Assistant Superintendent Jim Presot, Head of Maintenance Dave Albert, Building Principal Jeff Hill, Building Custodian Bob Rodriguez, then PTA President Leslie Stetler, Work Day 1 advisor Laurie Weiser; and I even spoke at one of the PTA meetings. From speaking at this PTA meeting came the greatest piece of this project. I received interest from two businesses, who have children at Valley Vista. Ben Johnson and Mike Leonti. We all met and came up with a plan,” said Costello “These two great businesses were going to bring in excavating equipment to dig out the dirt and fill it back in with stone. What a great weight off of my shoulders. To further this greatness, Ben Johnson went around to multiple businesses to see if they would donate stone to this project. He ended up getting the project free stone, pizza and pop for the first work day. This saved the project roughly $2800. With this extra money I was able to purchase better fitness equipment. Along with the machines and time Mike Leonti donated over 800 feet of mesh to put under the stone to help with weeds and also a ton of stone as we were starting to run out. Seven hours later and we had the trail cut out, filled with stone and then tampered. Work day #1 was done!”
Costello worked with his friend, Frank Tombazzi, from Garda Arch Fab fabricates metals, who also helped to subsidize the project. The equipment style and dimensions were determined and were constructed. The district’s Maintenance Department dug and prepared the holes to install the equipment. “In 10 hours spread out over two days we were able to level, stabilize and cement all the equipment. Work day #2 was done,” said Costello.
Amy Kuntz from Partnership for a Healthy North Royalton was instrumental in creating signs that include unique drug free messages. The group also paid for the signs with grant money they had received.
“Bringing this project full circle now includes our Girls on the Run program. Their mission statement is, ‘We inspire girls to be joyful, healthy and confident using a fun, experience-based curriculum which creatively integrates running’,” said Costello. Their group trains weekly and always would ask to measure out a track and place cones, so they could practice. “Now we have a measured out trail for their program to use. This will help them train for the 5K run they do at the end of program.” Costello said that the trail also has been incorporated into the Physical Education curriculum. “When working on components of fitness this trail meets four of those components which are aerobic endurance, muscular strength, muscular endurance and flexibility. This was Mr. Hill’s and my vision for this project from day one,” said Costello.
“The efforts of Nathan, Bob Rodriquez, Leonti Outdoor Supplies, Expert Excavating, Dave Albert, Mr. Presot and our Valley Vista parents is deeply appreciated,” said Costello. “The work and commitment through their own personal time on rainy days and weekends usually goes unnoticed. This program will be something that our students and community will always be able to look back on and know it truly made a positive impact on developing healthier lifestyles. I would like to conclude with a special “Thank You” to our wonderful group of parents for bringing their children to this special evening, Nathan Costello for his genuine passion and dedication towards Valley Vista and our students and finally; Evan, Dylan, Lexi, Meredith, Camryn, Claire, Grace, Sommer, Lila, Hailey, Whitney, Ella and Emilie for their wonderful presentation and all their hard work in striving for growth and academic excellence at Valley Vista.”

By GLORIA PLEVA KACIK
Contributing Writer