The center wanted a mural that was aesthetically pleasing, yet functional, to be placed at the head of the trails. Laura Kerr was pleased to work with Eileen Shatara and volunteers of Waterman Center in the creation of the painting to depict the trail map.

Although her children had enjoyed various programs offered by Waterman Center, Laura had no idea of the extent of the center's offerings before beginning the mural project.

As Laura explored and photographed the trails during several seasonal changes, she was truly inspired. "I imagined reproducing the brilliant yellows of the birch trees that rim the curve at the base of the blue trail circling the east field," Laura explained. "I thought about how to paint the lovely waterfalls in the gorge, and the deer in the west field, and how to convey the breathtaking view from the top of the hill on the red trail. As I sat in front of my 3 x 4 foot blank board, however, I realized that the goal of this project was to artistically represent the entire map of trails - over four miles of trails! And the best way to do this was through a simple overhead approach that could be viewed easily and referenced without distraction."

Detail would have to be experienced and enjoyed by the individual walking the trails . . . in the summer when the wildflowers fill the meadows with gold and purple; in the fall when the leaves offer every warm hue of yellow, orange, and red imaginable; in the winter when the water in the stream has frozen into rounded cascades over the falls and the snow hangs in clumps on the evergreens; and in the spring when the air is filled with the rich smells of earth and new growth.

The mural project was made possible with funds from the New York State Council on the Arts Decentralization Program, administered by the Tioga County Council on the Arts.

If you would like more information about Waterman Center's hiking trails, call the staff at 625-2221.