Students may notice some new aspects to the Enchanted Forest area as they make their way to class each day   — a project to create safe, accessible sidewalks is now near completion.
 
The construction project was divided into two seperately funded phases, said Dennis Mitchell, campus landscape architect with the Office of Facility Development.
 
The first phase, which cost $20,000, was initiated and funded by the Office of Risk Management several months ago, Mitchell said.
 
“The dirt path from the parking lot up to the dirt hill was a potential hazard, so we designed a new path system that avoided the steep incline,” Mitchell said. “We also followed the historic path pattern that parallels the alley of live oaks.”
 
The limestone path through the Enchanted Forest to the Hart commuter parking lot next to Kirby-Smith Hall was installed first to create a base, and funding from the phase-two project finished it with a concerte overlay.
Phase-two funding was provided by the Student Health Center and cost about $15,000.
 
“The new bisecting sidewalk re-establishes the historic order of Live Oak Alley, linkage to the Greek Amphitheater as well as provides a safe, pleasant passage from a sunny asphalt parking lot to the core of campus,” Mitchell said.
 
The majority of the project is complete, but Mitchell said the University plans to add mulch and an additional light pole to the center of the tree grove.
Mitchell said he believes the project will enhance the area’s atmosphere.
“It will not just be a transitional place,” he said. “It will be a destination.”
 
Mitchell said the next phase of work is not scheduled or funded, but eventually the Enchanted Forest will have a “park setting” including another sidewalk parallel to the current structure, landscaping, decorative paving and furniture.
 
But not everyone is pleased with the renovation.
 
“[The sidewalk] makes the walk easier, but it doesn’t really flow with the environment,” said Alex Leyton, mechanical engineering sophomore. “We have trees and then this big cement sidewalk. I was cool with the gravel path. It looked authentic.”
 
The project also included a modification to the aggregate steps located near the Student Health Center and hand railings.