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John Muir might well have been smiling down at the celebration in the woods of Sullivan County to mark the opening of a walking trail, an event which followed much planning, work and perhaps, most of all, collaboration.
Muir, 19th century American naturalist, author and environmental philosopher, once said, "Of all the paths you take in life, make sure a few of them are dirt."
Matt Wise, district director for state Sen. Gene Yaw, R-Loyalsock Township, quoted that line as he stood at the trailhead where area leaders and others gathered.
"A lot of stars have aligned to get to this," Wise said.
The Summit Loop is a one-mile walking path, the culmination of a partnership in 2019 between the Sullivan County Recreational Association (SCRA) and the Loyalsock Foundation.
It was in 2006 that the SCRA had a vision of raising funds to ultimately build an indoor wellness center to serve Sullivan County residents year-round.
"We have been working on this project for 16 years," said Mary Baumunk Blondy, Loyalsock Foundation president and founder. "They say it takes a village. This is testament to it."
Volunteers, she said, have been a big part of the project, contributing some 1,600 hours of their time since March alone.
A grant from the Endless Mountains Heritage Region to the Loyalsock Foundation and matching funds from the SCRA, allowed for the design and purchase of outdoor trail signs for The Summit: Center for Wellness Campus as well as benches and chairs along the Summit Loop.
In the meantime, funding efforts including a capital campaign are being done to construct the wellness center.
"I am just thrilled by the entire project," State Rep. Tina Pickett, R-Towanda, said.
SCRA President Sue Mullen said the goal of her organization has been to aid the Loyalsock Foundation to bring a centralized recreational area to the county.
State Rep. Joe Hamm, R-Hepburn Township, called the opening of Summit Loop "a good day in Sullivan County."
"What strikes me is the collaboration from all levels," he said.
He credited those responsible for having the vision to develop the property on land next to the Sullivan County School District for outdoor recreation.
The Loyalsock Foundation purchased and leased land next to school building to help bring the project to reality.
"This will bring people in and that is a great thing for Sullivan County," commissioner Darlene Fenton said. "I'm excited."
Following a celebratory ribbon cutting, people were invited to walk the trail.
"So many people have helped make this a reality," Baumunk Blondy said.