Residents of the Norfolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority (NRHA) neighborhood, Grandy Village, can now utilize open greenspace on a designated Born Learning Trail that caters to the neighborhood’s young people and their families.
Several city officials and neighborhood partners were on site Oct. 10 to participate in an official ribbon cutting celebrating the walking space. Located directly across the street from the authority’s property management office on Kimball Loop, the area has paved walking sections that include brightly colored signs to engage walkers to hop, skip, think about facts, read or even maneuver a hop scotch.
Across the country, these trails, an initiative spearheaded by the United Way, are designed to use outdoor, family oriented, “everyday moments” to help children start school ready to succeed, according to the organization’s website.
Within Grandy Village is a Boys and Girls Club facility, which also served as a partner in erecting the neighborhood trail. The new outdoor digs are the only such space within a public housing community.
As the largest housing authority in the state, serving more than 14,000 residents throughout Norfolk, NRHA Executive Director Nathan Simms said this initiative speaks to the wide lens the authority takes on how to best service residents.
“The grand opening of the Born Learning Trail symbolizes NRHA, and our partners’, commitment to expanding access to new experiences, supporting educational enrichment, and creating healthy communities for all incomes and ages in the city,” he said.
Lake Taylor High School Student Malik Marrimon, 16, lives in Grandy Village near the Born Trail site. It’s a good visual for the neighborhood, he said.
“It’s good for the community because a lot people aren’t going outside,” he said. “It brings us together for a different perspective. Also, young children can learn, read and grow as students.”