Montgomery Lions Club opens children’s sensory trail at riverfront with help from city
The Montgomery Lions Club has opened a Children’s Sensory Trail on the riverfront with help from the city.
The Children’s Sensory Trail connects Riverfront Park and the Freedom Monument Sculpture Park. It is the newest segment of the ongoing Riverfront Greenway Trail project on the Alabama River. When fully completed, the trail will connect Maxwell Air Force Base to the Montgomery Marina.
The trail places special emphasis on sight-impaired youth, encouraging visitors to experience the scenery through multiple senses. Features include bright wildflowers, ropes to aid walking, and interactive percussive musical instruments, all within earshot of nearby trains.
The Lions Club has worked internationally to help those who are visually impaired. The Montgomery Lions Club contributed $120,000 toward the construction of the trail, with the remaining money coming from federal transportation funds managed by the city.
The features of the Children’s Sensory Trail include:
- Interactive Sound Stations: These stations allow visitors to create and listen to different sounds, helping to stimulate auditory senses. They are especially beneficial for children and individuals with visual impairments.
- Tactile Pathways: These pathways have different textures that provide a unique tactile experience. They help individuals, especially those with sensory processing disorders, to explore and interact with their environment in a meaningful way.
- Scent Gardens: These gardens are filled with aromatic plants and flowers that stimulate the sense of smell. They offer a relaxing and therapeutic experience for all visitors.
- Visual Stimuli Displays: These displays feature vibrant colors and patterns that capture attention and stimulate visual senses. They are designed to be engaging and enjoyable for all visitors, particularly those with developmental disabilities.
