The City of Goshen is partnering with ADEC, Inc. to develop the Goshen Sensory Trail Project to help connect individuals with disabilities to the health benefits and the wonders of nature.

The Community Connections for People with Disabilities (CCPWD) grant is offered through the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA), in partnership with the Indiana Division of Disability and Rehabilitative Services (DDRS). The CCPWD grant opportunity is a Community Development Block Grant made available due to supplemental CDBG Coronavirus funds authorized under the CARES Act. OCRA has made $4.9 million in CDBG-CV funds available.

$155,322 was granted to this project. 100% of the funding goes to serve adult persons with disabilities. The City and ADEC Inc. are developing a GPS-enabled app accessed by a phone or tablet to connect users to nature in a fully immersible sensory trail experience. The app will help users locate and identify unique natural features, pinpoint interactive spaces where individuals can participate in the sensory experience, and provide opportunities where users can learn, relax, and engage their senses.

The project is also adding online nature experiences including stationary live nature cameras to provide individuals who cannot participate on the trail with accessibility to the same mental health benefits of the sights and sounds of nature from their home.

The project is designed to benefit adult individuals with disabilities. No Displacement.

A public meeting will be held on Monday, December 6, 2021 at 9:00 am at Reith Interpretative Center, 410 W Plymouth. You can request special accommodations by calling 574-533-8621. TDD 574-534-3185. Contact TheresaSailor@goshencity.com for more information.