Navigating complex terrain
The Steering Committee has been active for three years, and each one of us brings professional experience in a field related to the needs and goals of the Accessible Sensory Nature Trail project, including work on projects that require state- and public-level approvals. This helps us acknowledge the complexities inherent in a our project development—and it also reminds us of the patience that is required to move through these steps.
Currently we have two proposals in hand, each with a defined scope of work and fees, for a feasibility study and a preliminary site master plan. We secured these proposals with the intention of raising private funds to complete these studies. A proposal for the feasibility study was prepared by the Center for Economic and Community Engagement (CECE), a department of Virginia Tech. They have completed similar work for several Virginia communities. We think working with CECE would align well with the Virginia Tech Landscape Architecture Department's concept work for this project, which was completed in January, 2025.
A proposal for a preliminary site master plan was provided by VHB, specifically from the firm’s Landscape Architecture departments in Richmond and Williamsburg. They have completed similar work, have state contracts, and two of our committee members have worked with them in the past.
We used a proposal-and-interview process to select each consultant. The combined fee to complete both the feasibility study and site master plan is $75,000.
Advocacy to Move Forward
In 2025, the Steering Committee decided to pursue state legislative action, such as a study bill or a budget amendment, to secure some level of state support that would help us fund the two proposals. We invited Senator Glen Sturtevant and Delegate Mike Cherry to tour Pocahontas State Park and the site for the Accessible Sensory Nature Trail.
Subsequently, Sen. Sturtevant introduced a $75,000 budget amendment in the 2026 session for a project feasibility study. Although the amendment did not pass, it provided myriad opportunities to tell our story. Members of our committee made multiple contacts within the Virginia Conservation Network and met with several legislators to advocate for the project. We believe the groundwork is in place to pursue state funding in the next session.
We know that a commitment at the state level is necessary to fully green-light the project, and our ongoing work will be to establish the state’s serious consideration of the project as soon as possible.
We believe the need for this project—and the benefit to our community—is great, and our best course of action is to begin independent fundraising that will allow us to complete the feasibility study and preliminary site master plan. This research will provide more data and design direction that can be translated into plans, renderings, and a cost estimate that will help us advocate for state funding and also serve to inform Virginia Dept. of Conservation and Recreation’s work on the updated Pocahontas State Park Master Plan.
Building a Coalition to Serve and Support the Accessible Sensory Nature Trail Project
Through these advocacy and networking efforts, we will develop an advisory board with key stakeholders in the project, including significant donors, agencies, and businesses that support people with physical disabilities and neurodiversity.
Extensive research is still needed on how to provide safe and fulfilling nature experiences for people with physical disabilities and neurodiverse minds. There are only a few facilities to emulate in the country, and theories and practical solutions are still evolving. Our goal is to bring the best ideas to Pocahontas State Park and create a working laboratory that delivers results that might also be a inspiration for others who may want to build similar trails where all can experience the positive effects of being in nature.