Stephen F. Austin State University has closed all SFA Gardens trails until further notice as grounds crews work to clean up dozens of downed and hanging limbs as a result of last week’s snow and ice storms.
Trails at the Pineywoods Native Plant Center, Ruby M. Mize Azalea Garden, Gayla Mize Garden, Hinds Park and Mast Arboretum are currently closed to the public.
According to SFA Gardens and campus administrators, the recent extreme weather has created a number of potential hazards throughout most of SFA’s trails. They believe closure of the trails while cleanup is ongoing is the best course of action for the safety of students, faculty, staff and public.
SFA Gardens staff members are working to place signs and markers at trail entrances to notify visitors of the closures. It is estimated the cleanup could take two to three weeks. The public will be notified as soon as the trails are deemed safe for visitors.
By Christine Broussard, marketing communications coordinator at Stephen F. Austin State University
