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Hillside Community Church takes on hospital trail project

Volunteers (from left) Angie LaVanish, Emma Myers and Julia Reed work to spread rock on the overlook portion of the walking trail on the Tyrone Regional Health Network/Tyrone Hospital campus. The Hillside Community Church in Tyrone took on the service project to improve the trails that offer the community an opportunity for physical activity as well as a peaceful natural setting. Courtesy photo

One of the special features of the Tyrone Regional Health Network/Tyrone Hospital campus is the walking trails that loop through the wooded areas on the hospital grounds.

So, when Pastor Randy Zitterbart of the Hillside Community Church in Tyrone heard about the need for maintenance on the trails, he and the congregation decided to lend a hand.

“Our thinking is that you don’t just go to church, you have to be the church and go out and be of service in your community,” Zitterbart said. “The trail project was an opportunity for us to support the hospital and the community. Our motto is ‘Faith, Family and Community.’ We want to have positive, ongoing growth in all three!”

Situated on the property located between the hospital and the Tyrone Area School District, the walking trails offer community members an opportunity for physical activity, provide a peaceful natural setting for those seeking respite, give hospital employees a relaxing spot for breaks or lunch, serve as an outdoor classroom for the school district and preserve habitat for birds and other wildlife.

Zitterbart, who did landscaping while working his way through college, and members of the church congregation who have a similar frame of reference, drafted a plan and prioritized a frequently used portion of the trail for enhancements.

The congregation’s efforts went beyond simple cleanup.

Areas targeted for work included an overlook area on the trail where benches are located, a deck area located off of the hospital’s short procedure unit and island areas located in front of the hospital.

The church congregation provided the labor and all of the equipment and materials used to complete the project.

Leaf debris was removed from all of the target areas. Mulch was spread and flowering perennial plants were added in several locations. In the overlook area of the trail, where benches are located, flower beds were added. River stone was spread along the portion of the trail that leads to benches at an overlook area.

“It’s truly a privilege for our community to have so many incredible people, like the congregation at Hillside Community Church, that are willing to give of their time, talent and treasure to support their community hospital,” said Joseph J. Peluso, CEO at TRHN, adding that hospital staff have made many positive comments about the improvements.

Peluso pointed out that Tyrone Hospital’s walking trails are primarily a community project.

Some years ago, it was a local minister, the late Rev. Dr. Samuel T. Lewis III, who had a vision to create a walking trail to provide a place for hospital visitors to relax and meditate while staying close to their loved ones in the hospital.

Over the years, a variety of community members have had a hand in the development and improvement of the trails.

“How fitting that a local church congregation, the current generation, would have a hand in caring for the trail,” Peluso said.

Hillside Community Church-Tyrone is engaged in the community through a variety of projects, which have included: cleaning up Reservoir Park, community clean-up day, police, fire and EMT appreciation dinners, spear-heading the community-wide vacation Bible school program and providing the community movie night during Faith Day in August.

On an annual basis, the church provides free oil changes for widows in the community.

Most recently, on May 12, they serviced more than 30 cars, providing oil changes and detail work on vehicles for local single mothers.

Hillside Community Church has churches in Tyrone, Bellwood and the Juniata area of Altoona. HCC-Tyrone is currently renting the former Rock of Ages church building located across from Mac’s Market on Columbia Ave.

Services are held at

11 a.m. Sundays.

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