The Grotto Trail on campus received a long-awaited restoration on Oct. 9, thanks to a cleanup effort organized by Chemistry Professor Ed Zovinka.
Zovinka and his Inorganic Chemistry Lab students cleared debris, repaired sections of the path, and revitalized the natural beauty of the trail.
Zovinka said he was motivated to clean up the trail because of a family connection to the site.
“My son helped establish the trail as part of his Eagle Scout project years ago,” Zovinka said.
The trail’s sign still bears his son’s name (Shane Zovinka).
“We cleared a lot of debris, trimmed back overhanging branches and limbs, and spread mulch on lower areas,” Zovinka said.
The group also lined the trail with sticks and branches to clearly define the path.
The longtime SFU Chemistry teacher credited the University’s Physical Plant for its contributions to the clean-up effort earlier this month.
“Physical Plant did a lot of great work,” said Zovinka. “They cut the grass back, cleared some trees, dumped mulch, and supplied tools for us. They were very helpful.”
For the students involved, the project provided a learning experience and an opportunity to make a visible difference to a campus space.
“I think teamwork – working as a group and being able to fix something so it’s available to others – was what I looked forward to the most,” said Sarah Kibler.
“If we start with something small, it may influence other people to do the same,” Kibler said.
Zovinka said he hopes that restoring the path leads to more people utilizing it.
“I reached out to Coach Hoover (SFU’s head cross country and track and field coach) and he immediately forwarded the information to his team,” Zovinka said.
“I’m also hoping that casual walkers and runners will use the trail.”
Zovinka has other ideas on ways to improve campus spaces.
“We have a number of named trees and species on campus. Signs need to be replaced to make people aware of them.”
Zovinka said he is proud that his students were able to contribute to the University’s culture of service.
“There are so many community service projects that go on across campus and a lot of them are unrecognized.”
