The YMCA of Greater Richmond recently announced that a walking trail had been established on the Chickahominy Family YMCA property, thanks in part to Boy Scout Jared Appleby. The creation of the trail was the 17-year-old student’s Eagle Scout Leadership Service Project and will allow Y members to exercise and enjoy the outdoors.

Before marking the best possible path for the walking trail, Appleby consulted a scoutmaster who works with the Henrico County Department of Recreation and Parks and family members who hiked the Appalachian Trail and researched trail development. In late August, Appleby worked with a team of 24 volunteers with hand tools and a borrowed bush hog to clear land for the trail, which is just shy of one mile in length. Appleby raised all of the funds and donations necessary to complete the trail by meeting with the Varina Ruritan Club and sending letters that secured support from national chains such as Home Depot, Kroger and Martins. Chickahominy Family YMCA officials hope to enhance the trail with exercise stations in the future.