UCD Accessible Sensory Trail

UCD’s Accessible sensory trail is a campus wide project which utilises existing natural beauty
spots, walkways, forests and quiet areas, which have been made accessible for all users.
Access and Lifelong Learning in collaboration with Estate Services have developed a sensory
trail using existing areas on the campus to provide spaces for quiet reflection and recreation
in universally accessible spots. The locations will be mapped out and signposted for all users.

The first phase is now complete and the four main area of this accessible sensory trail are:
● The Chess Garden
● Rendezvous (The Lady at the Lake)
● Community Vegetable Garden (behind the School of Veterinary Medicine)
● Wildflower Meadowlands

The sensory trail provides accessible outdoor recreational spaces that will assist campus
users to enjoy healthy, tranquil and restorative interludes during each day and will assist
greatly with mental health and well being.
The areas encapsulate nature and feature sensory plants, smells, sounds, tastes and touch,
(the 5 senses) Tranquility is provided by nature, water features, biodiversity, bees, insects,
and birdsong. The areas also provide an opportunity for forest bathing, with therapeutic
preventative medicinal properties. The trail itself will evolve and will be added to as
required.