Shared by Troy Young, as Guest Blogger.

As a Sky Meadows’ Virginia Service and Conservation Corps member, I had the privilege of working alongside staff and volunteers to contribute to an exciting new feature you do not want to miss on your next visit: The Sky Meadows State Park’s Sensory Explorers’ Trail.

The new Sensory Explorers' Trail is now open at Sky Meadows State Park

No matter your age or ability, connect your senses to nature with Sky Meadows’ newest trail, the Sensory Explorers’ Trail. At just .3 mile in length, with ample shade and plenty of benches, the trail is perfect for your young children and strollers, or anyone who seeks a short, easy hike to connect with nature. The interpretive signs provide a wealth of information, and leave you excited to learn more at home or on future visits.

Audio tour and other adaptations make this trail accessible for all

The trail is designed for all park visitors, with special adaptations for the visually, hearing and mobility impaired visitors.

Highlights of those adaptations include minimal trail grades with specially compacted gravel, wide boardwalks, clay moldings of amphibians, and a printed guide for the hearing impaired made available at the trail entrance.

In addition, an audio interpretive tour was developed and published on the izi.TRAVEL app for those who are visually impaired. The audio tour works in conjunction with braille-numbered interpretive signs, the locations of which are noted by change in trail surface of stone pavers.

  
Moldings of frogs and salamanders for the visually impaired

Don’t miss an opportunity to touch a billion-year-old rock, hear the songs of birds, hug an old locust tree, or see a habitat for some of the park’s special amphibious creatures.  

Next to the park’s main picnic area, the Sensory Explorers’ Trail complements the Children’s Discovery Area as part of the Shenandoah Chapter of the Virginia Master Naturalist’s 76-acre Outdoor Laboratory. 

The Master Naturalists, led by Laure Wallace, with the support of the Friends of Sky Meadows, raised $37,000 in donations and grants to fund the project.

Financial contributors included the PATH Foundation, the Northern Piedmont Community Foundation, REI, the National Federation for the Blind Winchester Chapter, the Clarke County Lions Club and many individuals.

Laure and artist at opening of the trail

Laure Wallace, along with a dedicated core of Master Naturalist volunteers, gave 1,150 volunteer hours, in addition to hours given by Sky Meadows’ 2019 Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) crew and park staff, to bring the project to life in just a little over a year. On August 10, Master Naturalists, park staff, YCC members and family, project donors and supporters gathered to cut a ribbon and unveil the new trail.

Volunteers and supporters gathered to cut the ribbon

Stop by and check out the Sensory Explorers’ Trail, leave comments at the last stop to let us know about your experience, and be sure to share the great news with others.

Stay tuned for future features of the trail, such as adaptations for those with autism.

Come on by and check out the trail

Interested in knowing how you can help with this project? Email the park’s volunteer coordinator, Vanessa Lewis here. 

You are invited to experience Sky Meadows State Park’s Sensory Explorers’ Trail. Directions and more information about Sky Meadows State Park to help plan your visit can be found here.