New Accessible Allens Pond Trail Is Ready for Adventurers

Mass Audubon will open a new accessible trail on July 21 at its Allens Pond Wildlife Sanctuary, 786 East Horseneck Road, Dartmouth.

The All Persons Trail, as it's called, will become part of the 12 universally designed, accessible trails the statewide conservation organization has constructed at its network of wildlife sanctuaries.

The trail is meant to provide education about the sanctuary’s great diversity of habitats for people of all abilities, backgrounds and experiences.

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The trail will feature a sensory garden, tactile exhibits of natural artifacts, a post-and-rope guide system, an interactive audio tour and Braille signage.

President David O’ Neill and other members of Mass Audubon’s staff leadership, along with community and civic leaders, are scheduled to gather at the popular wildlife sanctuary’s Stone Barn Farm, 4 to 6 p.m., for a ribbon-untying of the new trail, which will become part of the sanctuary’s Quansett trail system.

The celebration will include refreshments, community partner and ecological project exhibits, guided tours of the trail, and fun “sensory” features.

It will kick off a five-day “Celebrating Access to Nature” program, focusing on Mass Audubon’s commitment to improving access to nature.

“In this welcoming spirit, we expect the new All Persons Trail at Allens Pond to become a major feature of the sanctuary for all those who believe that connecting with nature should be a right enjoyed by everyone,” South East Region Director Lauren Kras said.

Other hosted events over the multi-day celebration will include a Firefly Hike, an All Persons Trail Open House, a guided Birding Walk and Sensory Friendly Day on Monday, July 25.