School children enjoy the new "Waits Way" section of the Mad River Path behind the Waitsfield Elementary School.

All are invited to the opening of the newest section of the Mad River Path next week. On Tuesday, September 27, at 5:30 p.m., rain or shine, the public is invited to attend the ribbon cutting and celebration of Waits Way, the newest trail in the Mad River Path network. After brief remarks and the ribbon cutting, folks can grab an apple and walk on the path.

"The teachers, students and staff at Waitsfield School are thrilled to have this new path in their backyard," said Mad River Path president Laura Brines.

Joe Robinson of Waitsfield Elementary School has organized a running group that runs on Waits Way every Tuesday and Friday during recess. One day recently he had 23 children running on the path. Waitsfield pre-K teacher Emily von Trapp said, “We are going on path walks with the preschoolers every Tuesday and we will often be accessing it on Fridays as well! We are so excited to be able to make use of this amazing resource and extension of our classroom. It adds such a rich dimension to the learning environment for the children of our community. Hooray for Waits Way!”

In addition to the schoolchildren, walkers, bikers and runners have also been enjoying Waits Way.

"Now every Mad River Valley School has a path outside their doors to explore, run, meander and connect with the natural world," Brines added.

The path begins at the General Wait House, tucks behind Waitsfield Elementary School and continues north along the river side of the field until the turnaround spot near Route 100.

This celebration ties in with Waitsfield Elementary School’s open house. Parking options are at the Wait House, Mad River Valley Health Center or the new Waitsfield town office parking lot. Just follow the sidewalk to Waits Way right between the Waitsfield Fire Station and the school playing field.