Three weekend volunteers armed with saws, levels, hammers and nails finished construction Sunday on the outdoor education pavilion at the Estate Adventure Nature Trail.

“There is still a lot of work to be done,” said Olasee Davis, volunteer project manager. “We are getting the hard stuff finished first, like bridges and the pavilion. Then we will clear the paths and any other repairs needed to be done on the trail.”

They also shored up a bridge with rebar Sunday.

The trail that officially opened in 2005 was developed to provide environmental education resources for local youth, adults and visitors.

Estate Adventure Nature Trail is 1.5 miles long with a loop to the newly built pavilion. The hiking path has examples of the natural, cultural, historical and freshwater resources of the area.

“The whole idea is for students to hike the trail and then stop at the pavilion and learn more about what they have seen in the area,” Davis said. “The students are able to study science here. They can use this area as a science lab in a historical and cultural setting.”

He said the trail’s users study aquatic life, bird watch, and study plant and insect life.

“This is a great outdoor classroom close to U.V.I., Complex High School, and an elementary school. It is close enough for them to walk here,” Davis said.

Richard Gideon, from Nature Conservancy and manger of the pavilion construction, said the structure is 18 feet by 18 feet and made of treated fir. The roof is covered with a protective coating of latex. There is a heavy duty, 12-foot-long picnic tabled anchored firmly to the supports.

A lot of destruction has happened to the trail since it opened.

Davis said Mother Nature caused flooding last fall and moved an entire bridge. At one time thieves made off with another bridge, and these are heavy duty bridges. Hurricane Omar caused a lot of damage with downed trees and debris, he added.

Davis said by the end of summer the trail should be open for hikers and walkers. He added this all depends on the assistance of private, local, federal groups and volunteers in the community.

It is basically a weekend project with volunteers from the St. Croix Hiking Association, the Virgin Islands Resource Conservation and Development Council, Inc. (V.I. RC&D), students, and other community members. He said Innovative has been very supportive, giving manpower, poles and use of their vehicles in the project.

Other organizations involved include University of the Virgin Islands Cooperative Extension and the V.I. Department of Agriculture.

The trail is in the central part of the island, south of the Department of Agriculture grounds in Estate Lower Love, directly off the Queen Mary Highway. Cane was grown in the area until 1966. The trail has several historical structures, including a Danish bridge, a dam, a well and the ruins of a water mill.

Davis said he is waiting to hear from the Department of Planing and Natural Resources about the area being designated as a wildlife preserve.

“The trail will even enhance our tourist product on St. Croix,” Davis said.

The trail was made possible by a grant from the V.I. Department of Agriculture Urban and Community Forestry program.

Further information about the trail can be obtained b contacting Davis at 692-4053 or [email protected], or the V.I. RC&D Council office at 692-9632 or [email protected].