Check presented to restore trail

Kathleen Hinrichs/Submitted Photo Fort Scott City Manager Dave Martin; Barbara Albright, Bourbon County Commissioner; Clayton Tatro, Fort Scott Community College president; Reta Baker, Mercy Hospital Fort Scott President; and Amanda Hale, Mercy Hospital Foundation Board president are pictured with an oversized check, the proceeds of which will go toward restoring the walking trail at FSCC.(Kathleen Hinrichs/Submitted Photo)

Tribune Staff Report

Representatives from Mercy Hospital, Fort Scott Community College, the city of Fort Scott and Bourbon County gathered for a check presentation at noon Friday at the Danny and Willa Ellis Family Fine Arts Center.

The presentation included a check from Mercy Hospital's Mercy Day Run Fall 2012 5K race. The run netted $2,392.96 to be used for resurfacing the Fort Scott community walking trail. More than 60 Mercy employees and community members volunteered their time to oversee the Sept. 29, 2012, race.

The walking trail is located on the campus of FSCC and surrounds a small lake on the northeast side of the campus. It was created by Mercy Hospital, the city, county and FSCC.

The half-mile trail provides a safe and enjoyable place for community members to exercise, a news release said.

"Mercy is dedicated to transforming the health care experience and improving the quality of life for residents within our service area," Mercy Hospital Fort Scott President Reta Baker said. "By offering financial support to resurface the Fort Scott community walking trail, we aim to encourage exercise and healthy lifestyle choices."

"Mercy has been an instrumental partner in this resurfacing project," FSCC President Clayton Tatro said. "This contribution along with help from the city and county will bring us closer to revitalizing the trail. It is important to keep the walking trail in optimal condition in order to better benefit the community."