The Sensory Trail: A Trail for All

Entrance Photo of the Sensory Trail in Cook Forest taken by the author, Denise Quinn

As summer winds down and fall begins, you might find yourself looking for an activity to do with the people you support. Might I suggest getting outdoors and enjoying the cooler days with a picnic and a hike? Not sure where to go? Well, I have a suggestion for that too…Cook Forest State Park!

Cook Forest State Park in Cooksburg, Pennsylvania, offers many hiking trails all with different levels of difficulty and trail route types. It also has something that no other state park in Pennsylvania has…a sensory friendly trail. This sensory friendly trail was made in part by the Friends of Cook Forest, a non-profit volunteer group that helps make the park even better.

Trail and sign in yellow letters "Paved Sensory Trail" photo by author, Denise Quinn — Paved Sensory Trail Sign Photo by Author

Trail entrance from the road photo by author, Denise Quinn — Paved Sensory Trail Sign Photo by Author

Cook Forest Sensory Trail is an easy quarter-mile, paved loop trail and is ADA accessible. This trail is located off the water tower access road near the entrance to the Sawmill Center for the Arts. It was thoughtfully designed to accommodate individuals with disabilities, including those with low or limited vision. It provides a way for individuals with disabilities to experience nature in a way they never have before.

As you enter the area where the sensory trail is located, you will find ample parking with several handicapped parking spaces. There is also a spacious picnic area with wheelchair accessible picnic tables which would be a beautiful, quiet spot to have a picnic lunch or dinner.

Handicap parking near trail entrance photo by author, Denise Quinn — Accessible parking area Photo by Author

Trail picnic area - wide grassy open area with picnic branches and surrounding trees photo by author, Denise Quinn — Accessible parking area Photo by Author

A sign with bright yellow, raised lettering and braille welcomes you as you enter the trail. This kind of signage is found all along the trail encouraging hikers to use their five senses to experience the forest. You will also find a guide cable to hold on to that runs the trail loop. Hikers can walk clockwise with the guide cable on their left. Along the cable are squares to alert hikers to the informational signs and triangles to alert hikers to seating. Sturdy benches are scattered throughout the trail providing hikers with an opportunity to sit and rest and enjoy the beauty that surrounds them.

Guide cables and trail photo by author, Denise Quinn — Guide cables and trail Photo by Author

Sign in yellow letters describing surrounding area "On the Opposite side of the trail are two trees growing side by side on the left is a red maple on the right is a black cherry. Feel the difference between them which one feels like very stiff corn flakes? photo by author, Denise Quinn — Guide cables and trail Photo by Author

After hiking the sensory trail, be sure to visit the Sawmill Center for the Arts. There you can purchase a wooden trail coin for the Sensory Trail to take home as a souvenir, and to say, “I did it!”. The Sawmill Center for the Arts displays local artists’ handcrafted items. There are a variety of items for sale including wooden bowls, spoons, cutting boards, quilts, pottery, crocheted and knitted items, signs, and jewelry, just to name a few! The Sawmill Center also offers clean, ADA accessible bathrooms and a shaded picnic area nestled just inside the forest.