State of Ohio Grant Supports the East Palestine Community and Individuals with Developmental Disabilities
Threshold Residential Services is excited to announce that our Community Sensory Garden has been awarded a grant from the State of Ohio through the Columbiana County Mental Health & Recovery Board to aid in the development of our community garden to support the East Palestine community following the tragic train derailment on February 3, 2023.
Threshold Residential Services’ Community Sensory Garden was built in 2021 to create a safe and relaxing space to be used by TRS residents and the East Palestine community. The garden allows them to enjoy the gardening process and gives them a place to spend time outside. By using upcycled and new materials to create a beautiful and interactive botanical experience, we hope that this garden continues to inspire those in our community and remains a space that can be enjoyed by all.
“Threshold’s Community Sensory Garden gives our residents and our community a sense of peace and a breath of fresh air that is beneficial to both their physical and mental health. We’re grateful that we’re able to simultaneously give our residents the opportunity to enhance their knowledge on gardening and the outdoors, while also providing a space for our community to enjoy,” said Seth Walker, Program Director at Threshold.
The state grant was provided to help with the long term impacts from the train derailment earlier this year. Those who visit Threshold’s Community Sensory Garden’s experience many improvements to their health including increased cognitive function, improvement of motor skills and life-long environmental education. The interactive elements of the garden activate various areas of the brain and create new neurological pathways, which is specifically beneficial for those with disabilities and young children. This grant will specifically help Threshold to grow and maintain the community sensory garden so that TRS individuals served and the East Palestine community can benefit from a beautiful, safe, outdoor space and an interactive sensory experience.
