FAIRMONT — That turtle ambling along at Fairmont State University the other day didn’t realize he was officially certified.
Falcon Park, an outdoor expanse which sprouted at the school from the pandemic in 2020, was recognized this week by the National Wildlife Federation.
The organization that champions natural resources named the park a Certified Wildlife Habitat for its mission of providing a haven for birds, butterflies, turtles and other species — all within the confines of the campus on Locust Avenue.
“It is amazing that when you’re in the park, you don’t feel like you’re on a college campus,” said Jan Kiger, the Fairmont State administrator who oversees the expanse and its environs.
She conceived of the park as a natural healing balm to students sequestered by COVID four years ago.
Kiger also chairs the university’s Health and Human Performance Department.
The park takes in 7.9 wooded acres at the top of Fairmont State’s campus and is an ever-growing endeavor, she said.
“Growing” is the watchword, Kiger said, for a park that began its life as a walking trail four years ago and evolved by way of lots of campus support and cooperation.
Back then, it was known as Falcon Trail.
“The Falcon Trail is such a unique project because it was implemented at a time when many other programs weren’t able to move forward during the COVID-19 pandemic,” Kiger said in 2021.
When the Fairmont State Foundation linked up with the Student Government Association and the university’s facilities and grants departments, a once-and-future habitat was born.
“We are very fortunate to be able to provide a space that allows our campus and surrounding communities to engage the outdoors,” Kiger said.
“Engagement” is another watchword, she said.
Studies show that green spaces on college campuses inspire creativity and critical thinking, just by being what they are.
In addition to its trail system, Falcon Park also takes in a yurt space and sensory place, while also offering a hammock hangout area and “citizen-science” stations interspersed throughout.
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