When Nicholas Sergi died unexpected at the age of 28, the Elkhorn community mourned the death of a beloved community member.
Now, just four years later, the foundation started in his name has helped with numerous area projects, including a new fitness trail near Elkhorn Area Middle School and the Walworth County Fairgrounds.
The trail, which runs along the nature trail at the middle school, has been named the Nicholas D. Sergi Nature and Fitness Trail. It extends from the middle school grounds to the high school, with outdoor fitness equipment, including pull-up bars, steps and other items so people can work out.
Two signs mark the trailheads, at East Court Street/Highway 11 and on East Market Street. The signs were made by Bob Swatek, the owner of RC Welding, and installed with the help of Sergi’s father and the school district grounds department. The signs are red and the equipment is accented in red to match the NDS Foundation colors.
Jon Anzalone, Elkhorn High School’s community engagement director, has had a years-long friendship with Dominic Sergi – Nicholas’s father. At that time, meeting with Dominic and his wife, JoAnn, Anzalone began to flesh out a possible project with the NDS Foundation.
“I’ve been working with Jon since Nick passed, and trying to help,” Dominic explained. “My wife and I have been working with the school district and the future farmers association, because that was Nick’s passion. He was a giver.”
Added Anzalone, “They explained the NDS Foundation’s background. We talked about the possibility of the NDS Foundation working on a project that also highlighted the district’s commitment to community partnerships, facility use and engagement.”
Out of those discussions came the idea of the fitness trail. Anzalone was tasked with the organization of the project. The trail development was started by the district, but needed some extra attention and enhancements, Anzalone said.
Additionally, a raised platform needed to be built at one spot and a bridge on another, he added. The NDS Foundation donated the materials for the projects, and then Elkhorn YouthBuild students constructed both the wooden walkway and the bridge.
The fitness equipment was installed during the second phase of the project, and is at the Market Street trailhead. The equipment was donated by the foundation, and the site prepared by Eric Liebsle, an alumni of Elkhorn High School and a friend of Nicholas’.
The rest of the work, including the spreading of mulch and landscaping, was done by district grounds staff.
“This project has been such a wonderful collaboration of so many people and groups and it is hoped that it will provide another area to recreate for anyone that choses,” Anzalone said.
Lauren Sergi, part of the Sergi foundation, said the project is a strong example of what the NDS Foundation is trying to accomplish.
“It’s been great to see people come together as a community, and to utilize land that was underutilized,” Lauren said. “For the students to get out in nature and be active. It’s been fun to see this develop.”
Anzalone said that the reaction from the community has been wonderful.
“Seeing people using the trail and equipment almost immediately is exactly what we all hoped would happen,” he said.
And for Dominic Sergi, it’s just another way to keep his son’s legacy going.
“We told Jon, ‘find some projects,’” Dominic said. “And Jon found this project.
“(Nicholas) was just a very generous, generous man,” Dominic added. “And he was a strong Christian, as we are.”
Editor’s note: The headline in the print edition of this story was incorrect. We apologize for the error.
