Sensory Park Trail Receiving Attention In Paris

Saturday, 19 October 2019 09:05

The sensory trail is among only a handful across Canada and an official opening is planned later this fall in Lions Park in Paris. Its purpose is to engage a variety of senses and promote exploration.

BRANT COUNTY - The new sensory trail in Lions Park in Paris is being celebrated by members in the community.

The project is nearly complete and it is already seeing a lot of action.

It's purpose is to engage a variety of senses, promote exploration and is among the handful across Canada.

Director of Parks and Facilities for the County of Brant, Kathy Ballantyne says people should get out and explore what the trail has to offer.

"We encourage you to explore as many senses as you can along the trail while enjoying the beauty of fall."

The trail will include many new birdhouses, which were built by the Sensity, Deafblind and Sensory Support Network of Canada.

Supervisor of Public Transportation and Accessibility Services for the County of Brant, Sheena Yarek praised the trail.

"The sensory trail is colourful, creative and engaging and has been designed in cooperation with the Accessibility Advisory Committee and community stakeholders.

It is expected that the trail will evolve in the future with new interesting features.

Ballantyne says the sensory trail is all about telling old stories and creating new ones.

"When you need to rest, consider finding a very special bench along the new trail, next to the Nith River. On this bench, it reads 'Commemorating the bravery of William Prine who rescued Arthur Rook from the icy Nith River in 1944.'"

In February 1944, a seven year-old Arthur Rook from Paris, was walking along the much deeper, frozen Nith River when he fell through the ice and into the cold water. Fortunately, William Prine, a father of six children, was nearby and selflessly rushed to the young boy's aid and saved his life.

Ballantyne says the story represents what the community is about.

"We are so pleased that we can honour this story as part of the trail. This story speaks to our community's values of caring for each other."

Yarek says they encourage the public to attend and use the sensory trail.

"We encourage people of all ages and abilities to interact with the features and create new memories along this unique trail."

An official opening is planned for later this fall.