Ashley VanVurst Sensory Trail

The City of Goshen and ADEC Inc. combined efforts to develop the sensory trail project to connect persons with disabilities to the natural environment's physiological and psychological benefits and provide them with the opportunity to access technology that can enhance the interactive trail experience. The project includes access for both persons who can actively participate and those who may be homebound.

The sensory trail includes four miles of two existing public trails with open, calm areas, water, and natural habitats. Naturalist interns cataloged over 900 features while local computer science students at Goshen College developed an app to provide a guided sensory experience so users can learn, relax and engage the senses through touching, smelling, seeing, hearing, and tasting the world around them. The project integrates physical, and app accessibility features designed to accommodate adults with diverse disabilities, including physical, intellectual, and developmental disabilities. As part of this project, the City established a lending library of 10 iPads at Reith Interpretative Center to ensure that persons can access the trail app and participate in the complete trail experience.

This project was funded by the Community Connections for People with Disabilities grant offered through the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs, in partnership with the Indiana Division of Disability and Rehabilitative Services authorized by the CARES Act.