Project Profile:
PAW Educational Research Trail (PERT)
Project Summary
In addition to wanting a trail to be accessible to people in wheelchairs and walkers, Partners for Access to the Woods (PAW) wanted the trail experience to be open to the visually impaired and blind as well. Built on the historic Berthoud Pass trail, PAW partnered with the State of Colorado the enhance the historic wagon road. PAW enlisted the help of students from the Colorado School of Mines University andDr. Robert Knecht to help with the design. PAW Director Carol Hunter sought out Gravelpave2 to be used as a "Tactile Warning" for the visually impaired to feel when a kiosk map is located on the trail. The Gravelpave2 would simply feel and sound different than the rest of the trail material. Hunter also used Gravelpave2 to enhance the aesthetic of the trail for non-visually impaired - to blend in with the rustic surroundings. Hunter has used Gravelpave2 in other trail systems, but this is the first time it was used as tactile warning. The kiosk maps will be three-dimensional "way finding" maps – miniature representations of the elevation changes representing the next section of the trail. The visitors will be able to touch the map and know what's coming next on the trail. The Gravelpave2 sections are located throughout the trail and are positioned where the "wayfinder" maps will be. The wayfinder maps are scheduled to be installed by the trail's dedication day in September, 2012. The Gravelpave2 sections are each about 60 inches wide (width of the trail) and about 40 inches long. Gravelpave2 was filled will a mixture of crusher run and a binder donated from Midwest Industrial Supply. For more information on the trail, visit the PAW site.
Address
1/4 mile west of Empire, CO on Hwy 40
Install Size
10 m2 (108 sq ft)
Designer
Carol Hunter with PAW and students from the Colorado School of Mines University
Contractor
Volunteer of Colorado (VOC), PAW and Midwest Industrial Supply
Project Gallery
Sections of Gravelpave2 were placed as Tactile Warning systems
60 inch by 40 inch sections of Gravelpave2 were placed strategically throughout the trail.
Midwest Industrial Supply Volunteers mix the fill material for Gravelpave2.
Dr. Robert Knecht from the Colorado School of Mines in Golden fills in the Gravelpave2 with crusher fines and a binder material.
The completed sections of Gravelpave2 have the rings slightly exposed to add the "tactile warning" of the area.
Gravelpave2 sections are flush with the level of the trail but provide a differing texture.
Completed section of the PERT trail with Gravelpave2 tactile warning.