From left, Threshold Vice President Stephanie Elick, Columbiana County Mental Health and Recovery Board Executive Director Marcy Patton, Threshold Program Director Seth Walker, Columbiana County Board of Developmental Disabilities Assistant Superintendent Josh Martin, TRS Facilities Management Director Bo Brown, Ohio State Rep. Monica Robb Blasdel and Threshold CEO Chris Page cut the ribbon on the newly-renovated Threshold Sensory Community Garden in East Palestine on Monday. (Submitted photo)
EAST PALESTINE — The Threshold Residential Services (TRS) Community Sensory Garden recently received a facelift, thanks to funding as part of a grant by the State of Ohio.
The renovations to the garden — which is meant to offer residents experiencing traumatic and residual mental health impacts of last year’s Norfolk Southern train derailment a place to reflect, relax and recharge and supports residents with developmental disabilities — were paid for by a federal Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Emergency Response Grant and the State of Ohio, facilitated by the Columbiana County Mental Health & Recovery Services Board.
“We are so grateful for this incredible grant from Columbiana County Mental Health and Recovery Services Board to renovate our Community Sensory Garden,” said Seth Walker, program director at Threshold. “Important funding like this ensures the garden is a safe and relaxing space to be used by our residents and the East Palestine community.”
The ribbon-cutting ceremony for the upgraded sensory garden was held on Monday at its 71 W. Taggart St. location. Chris Page, CEO of Threshold, the board of directors, elected officials, TRS employees, and clients were on hand to re-open the garden.
TRS was awarded a portion of two grants received with the aid of the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (OMHAS) and SAMHSA. The first being an immediate $209,402 response to support mental health in the aftermath of the derailment and the second a $879,509 intermediate grant to establish more long-lasting services to assist those impacted by the rail disaster. The garden was built with $30,000 from the first grant. The second grant has enabled Threshold to “expand and maintain the community sensory garden.”
“Collaborating with Threshold Residential has helped us accomplish our goal of allowing individuals to have the opportunity for prevention services, growth, recovery, and inclusion in the community,” said Marcy Patton, executive director at Columbiana County Mental Health and Recovery Services Board.
According to a TRS press release, visitors to Threshold’s Community Sensory Garden experience numerous health benefits, including enhanced cognitive function, improved motor skills, and lifelong environmental education. The garden’s interactive elements stimulate various areas of the brain and foster the creation of new neurological pathways, which is especially beneficial for individuals with disabilities and young children.
The recent improvements included new paint, ADA-accessible gardening beds and other ADA upgrades. Local East Palestine students helped with the project.
“The garden offers a space to enjoy the gardening process and spend time outdoors. By incorporating upcycled and new materials, TRS and community partners created a beautiful and interactive botanical experience to inspire generations,” TRS said. “With the assistance of East Palestine Middle School students, the garden beds were painted, infusing renewed life into the space. Ten low-level beds, four standing L- shaped beds, and two ADA-height beds were strategically positioned to help those with diverse user needs. The entire garden was layered with wheelchair-accessible grating, creating seamless movement throughout. An old fence was removed to improve the sightlines, while an existing fence was painted with a mural, and we created a sensory wall under the garden’s pergola.”
TRS, which provides services to individuals with developmental disabilities and encourages personal growth, independence, and overall improved quality of life to an often-underestimated population of the community, has based its operations in East Palestine since 1975 and has expanded by adding a corner store, lawn care company and detail shop.
