FLOYD COUNTY — It’s not a beaten path by any means. In fact, it’s a freshly paved road that leads to a trail head that until today had been mostly secluded from the public.

But what’s behind the gate at Campbell-Woodland Nature Trails is a novelty for the New Albany-Floyd County Parks Department — dozens of undeveloped acres intended to serve as an oasis for those that love the outdoors.

“This is the first trails system like this in the parks system,” said NA-FC Parks Superintendent Roger Jeffers during a Thursday opening ceremony at Campbell-Woodland.

Located in the 3300 block of Budd Road, the facility includes 122 acres of land and paved paths for people to walk around on and enjoy the scenery, as well as take notice of the deer, squirrels and birds that are so common at Campbell-Woodland. The trail system was initially to be completed in March 2008, but was held up through a lengthy legal battle that resulted in some change of plans to the facility as well as foregoing calling the facility a park.

Some neighbors fought the project, citing safety concerns with the size of the one-third of a mile path that leads to the trail head, as well as claims that the added pavement would add to flooding woes in the area.

But instead of seeking a zoning change to classify the property as a park, the parks department sought a curb cut for the land under its existing classification, which officials said allowed for a trails system.

The curb cut was approved, and the parks department proceeded with Campbell-Woodland. Jeffers joked that he had asked his staff to buy him knee pads, as he had to plead with the Indiana Land and Water Conservation Department for five extensions of the $200,000 grant awarded for the development of the facility.

“I think we had the longest grant in the history of the” department, Jeffers said.

The land was obtained through a grant from the Paul Ogle Foundation, and a donation of part of the property by its former owner, the late Paul Campbell. Campbell’s daughter Karen and son Kevin were on hand for the ceremony Thursday, along with members of the New Albany and Floyd County councils, state officials and parks board members.

Karen Campbell said she desires to see the trail system serve as a place “between heaven and earth” where people could relax and find inner peace.

“It’s been a long time coming, but we know this is what dad wanted,” she said.

Kevin Campbell reminisced on the times he’d had during his youth on the property, hiking through trails developed by his father and even building a makeshift log cabin with his friends where they spent so much time enjoying the beautiful nature that surrounded them. Like his sister, Kevin said Campbell-Woodland is what his father envisioned when the property was handed over to the parks department.

“There’s been a lot of blood, sweat and tears on this project, and I know he would be happy to see what has happened out here,” he said.

Visitors to the facility must park in the lot just off Budd Road then walk back to the trail head. There’s an automated system that informs people of the history of the facility, as well as information about the paths.

Jeffers said he envisions school field trips to the site so that children can learn about nature from a first-person perspective.

It’s NA-FC Parks board Chairman Scott Klink whose voice sounds the information on the automated system, which is illuminated at night by solar lighting. He said Thursday the facility is the culmination of hard work and dedication by the parks staff and board.

“It’s a beautiful property and it’s a great opportunity to really see nature,” he said, as he added such a facility is “very unique in the state of Indiana.”