Dedication: This planetary walkway was constructed by the following inmates from Nevada State Prison:
William H. Beck
Stuart A. Bogert
Monti Calvert
Albert Dawson
Richard B. Waters, II
Special thanks to Department of Corrections Director Jackie Crawford, Warden Michael Budge and Associate Warden James Baca. |
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| "The sandstone is much like the men who work it - tough, coarse, and hardened by the elements. Yet as you admire the sheer beauty and grandeur of the monuments before you, know in this moment, they mirror the hearts and souls of those who created them." |
The Planetary Walkway is a quarter-mile-long path connecting the main WNC campus with the Jack C. Davis Observatory. Lining the walkway path are sandstone sculptures created by artistic inmates at the Nevada State Prison's old quarry. The stones feature carved images of the planets, along with information about each planet and a dedication to the donors.
WALKWAY HISTORY
During construction in 2002 of the Jack C. Davis Observatory, the idea was born to create a planetary walkway connecting the main Carson City campus to the observatory. The question was: how could permanent displays be created for each planet that could stand up to harsh weather, graffiti, or even theft?
College Vice President Helaine Jesse came up with the answer while attending a WNCC graduation at the Northern Nevada Correctional Center. On her way into the prison, Jesse spotted a dedication rock created by inmates from the Nevada State Prison. She thought something similar would be great for the walkway.
With support from prison officials, Jesse met with the prisoners and provided them with images of each planet and some new equipment. The inmates selected rocks from the prison's old quarry, then hand-carved and painted each one into unique, magnificent sculptures. They are weather-resistant, and almost impossible to steal. Graffiti will wash right off of them.
To help raise money for the observatory construction, sponsorships were offered for each planet in which donor names would be listed on a plaque attached to each rock. The college "sold" all the planets in our solar system to sponsors, yet interest in the project continued, so sculptures of Ceres, an asteroid, and Quaoar, an icy world beyond Pluto, were added to the walkway collection.
Volunteer help was critical to the project as local businesses moved and installed the stones, and several local youth carved out the trail and built a footbridge as an Eagle Scout Project.
The Planetary Walkway was completed in February 2003 and was ready for the "First Light" grand opening celebration of the Jack C. Davis Observatory on May 15, 2003.
Sincere thanks to the following individuals and businesses/agencies who were instrumental in the creation of the Planetary Walkway:
Mike Budge, Nevada State Prison
Max Hershenow, Hershenow and Klippenstein Architects
Marv McQueary Excavating
Gene Sheldon, Industrial Logistics Services
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