Sensory Trail

This accessible trail is designed to be inclusive to all with a curiosity for the natural world. Along the trail are several interactive stations to help you engage your senses with the surroundings. Smell the flowers, listen to the sounds, look for a variety of colors, and touch the water, rocks, and plants.

Trail Length and Grade: Trail is 310 feet long with a max slope of 5%.

Trail Surface: concrete, brick, and crushed limestone.

Peak Visitation Times: 10 am - 2 pm, Thursdays - Sundays. School field trips often utilize the trail Mondays - Fridays April - May and September - October.

SEE Nature

The steel garden kaleidoscope has three kaleidoscopes pointed toward a colorful garden planter in the center. The kaleidoscopes are centered at different heights around the sphere arms. You can access the kaleidoscopes from a seated and/or standing position. Artist: Robert Anderson.

TOUCH Nature

The six-foot-tall tower is covered with different textures of tree bark, leaves, animal tracks, snakeskin and more.

Along the paved path is a sensory path with different textures of rocks, turf grass, and flagstone for visitors to walk or roll on.

HEAR Nature

Listen to the sounds around you using the wooden listening tubes that can be turned in different directions. The two listening tubes are 37.5 inches tall. The pebble harp (24 inches tall not including the roof) adds an option for musical play. Small pebbles are dropped through the holes creating random, musical tones as the pebbles cascade over tiny metal strings.

EXPLORE Nature

The water feature allows visitors to touch and explore pond life up close. A zero-entry ramp allows for easier access to the pool. An interactive brass frog shoots water out of its mouth by pumping a nearby handle.

Nearby Amenities

Adjacent to the Sensory Trail is the Jester Park Nature Center. This two-story indoor facility has an elevator, ADA accessible, men’s, women’s, and gender-neutral restrooms, and infant changing tables. While we do not currently possess adult changing tables, they will be a welcome addition in the future.

Water bottle filling stations are located outside the Nature Center on the patio and inside the building on the upper and lower floors.

Exhibit Donors

Funding for this trail was made possible by the Resource Enhancement and Protection-Conservation Education Program, Great Outdoors Foundation, and Prairie Meadows.