Delta Environmental Centre has long cherished the idea of a sensory trail, allowing both the average man in the street and the disabled to appreciate aspects of nature which do not first come to mind, such as texture, temperature, aroma and shape. The result of the dream, the SASOL Sensory Trail, was opened in August 1997, with the assistance of Delta's long time partner in conservation, SASOL

The Trail adds a new dimension to the facilities in Delta Park, especially as it is the first of its kind in Greater Johannesburg. Students are exposed to nature through their senses on this Trail making it a memorable experience. Disabled users also have close contact with the natural environment on this Trail as all the points of interest have been made accessible for the blind and wheelchair-bound.

The 103 metre trail was been designed by architect Michael Thomas (an architect) and constructed by LTA Construction. Concreted octagons have been situated at selected spots on the SASOL Sensory Trail to coincide with a point of interest. Brick paving, provided by CONCOR Building Products, has been used to connect all 14 octagons. These octagons are large enough to allow for wheelchair users to turn around easily. A wooden-slatted boardwalk has been constructed by the Sandton Rotary Club over the top of the granite outcrop to enable users to get an elevated view of the Trail area and to listen to water trickling over the rocks beneath them.

Signs highlighting the sensory focus in each section have been located in carefully selected spots to assist with interpretation. Braille has also been used on these signs.

Trail booklet
A guide booklet is available that complements the actual experience of completing the Trail by assisting with the interpretation and providing information about each point of interest. Interaction between the Trail user and all the natural features are encouraged.

Delta Environmental Centre is making use of the SASOL Sensory Trail in many different ways. Some of them are:

• Arbor Day celebrations -- in 1997 participants from a variety of schools for the disabled were invited to plant shrubs and groundcover plants along the Trail
• All visiting school groups are taken on a guided walk in Delta Park -- if it is appropriate the education officer will use the Trail as the focus for an activity e.g bird observation and bird calls, ecology, importance of soil etc. (Read more about an exciting new course for school groups.)
• On-going availability of the trail to groups of disabled folk so that they can enjoy an informative outdoor experience at a venue relatively close to the city.
• Cassette tape recordings of the text in the booklet have been commissioned by SASOL and will be produced in English, Afrikaans, S.Sotho and Zulu. SASOL will also be sponsoring the purchase of portable cassette tape players so that visiting groups can appreciate the environment in their first language. This activity can also be used to introduce users to other languages ( as well as Braille) -- a useful dimension for the "Communication" component of the new Curriculum 2005 that will be phased in, in South African schools from 1998.

Eco-Access (Visit their website)
The trail was developed in conjunction with Rob and Julie Filmer, directors of an organisation called Eco-Access. Eco-Access, a company focussed on making the environment accessible to the disabled assisted with the design of the trail, ensuring that the gradient is never more than 1:12, allowing wheelchair -- bound visitors easy access. Eco-Access is a registered fund-raising association. Their aim is to encourage disabled people, no matter what their disability, to become involved in looking after and enjoying our beautiful earth. Part of Eco-Access' work means liaising with and providing information to environmentalists on how to make their programmes and facilities barrier-free.

The staff and Directors of Delta Environmental Centre view the SASOL Sensory Trail as a great asset for their environmental education programmes and a means to provide an environmental awareness experience to the broader community.