By Rick Bunch, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
A congregation in Fort Collins, Colorado, USA, recently completed a project in which it had a missional role: an all-access trail in Lory State Park on the community’s outskirts.
Because of the park’s proximity to the mountains and foothills, all the trails were steep or narrow and rocky, making them inaccessible to many people with special needs.
This meant a specific population couldn’t enjoy the Sacredness of Creation. Most never would have even considered the possibility.
This meant a specific population couldn’t enjoy the Sacredness of Creation.
In my role as a volunteer ranger/environmental educator in the park, I proposed building a trail that would accommodate wheelchairs, the visually impaired, and people with other special needs. After five years of planning, development, and funding, the trail was completed. Members of the community and congregation enjoyed the ribbon-cutting celebration.
In recognition of its mission to community and ministry to all people, the congregation made a significant contribution to the process. In addition to access for people who use wheelchairs, devices are available to people with limited vision. They now can hear interpretive messages about history and the environment.
Also, artifacts of stone, animal presence, and history are located on each interpretive sign to further create a museum, along with the nature experience. Those factors enhance the experience by offering a tactile element.
Ministry has many faces. This project has provided the congregation an avenue for ministry and projects a spiritual dimension now available to a unique population for exploration of nature, history, and culture.
The trail also provides an opportunity for parents with children in strollers to enjoy an experience not readily available before. In addition, it gives access to youth in school programs not previously included.
Ministry has many faces. This project has provided the congregation an avenue for ministry and projects a spiritual dimension now available to a unique population for exploration of nature, history, and culture.
The trail is rapidly gaining recognition as indicated by a front-page article in a local daily newspaper. Perhaps this special development is to provide a legacy for a very special congregation.