Thanks, Leon!
I probably should have explained ... situation ... a client has an admin level user that has just enough 'courage' to ... let's called it 'explore' - not because any testing is needed as site has been humming right along with no hickups for years and there is no anticipated participant increase. Offered to install a sandbox instance where the admin could play all they like, but 'powers that be' said no.
As a remote admin who is never included any plans, I am oft put into a re-active/fix boo-boo mode and 'powers that be' don't seem to have enough 'power' to get across any message to this admin level person. Thought about a modified admin role ... briefly ... then decided there as to be a 'better way'.
Think I found it ... you have confirmed ... and I'd only have to add to .gitignore that path to assure a git update or upgrade wouldn't re-install! 
Thanks, again ... Ken.