Outdoor exercise and nature trail being added to South Lake Tahoe school

After earning a national award for their commitment to healthy choices for food and exercise, Sierra House Elementary is now adding a nature trail, exercise route and garden at the back end of their campus.

During Tuesday's school board meeting, the school will be asking for approval of a a contract for a new split-rail fence to surround the school after an aging chain link fence was removed for the new adventure area. The fence will define an expanded space the students will use every day.

The families already raised funds to create the fitness stations with their annual golf tournament with Turn 3 Bar. The $10,000 raised will purchase the needed equipment.

An unused area behind the portable classrooms and around the edge of the school is being converted into the outdoor adventure space along with a native plant garden. Small amphitheater spaces will be incorporated so teachers can take the classroom outside.

If approved, Principal Ryan Galles hopes to get the fence in before the snow arrives. He said the new fence will work opposite of how other school fences do.

"It gets the kids out, instead of keeping them in," he said.