Bloomington Parks and Recreation has installed the first tactile map in the city’s park system. The map, at Switchyard Park, is next to the Pavilion and the B-Line Trail.

The map is designed to help individuals who are blind or have low vision navigate the park. It includes raised textures, braille, and color contrast which lays out the park’s amenities. Its height and angle also make it accessible for wheelchair users.

MarChé Daughtry, a doctoral student in gender studies, is blind and a wheelchair user. She helped the department design the map. She reviewed the braille and tactile portions of the map and assisted in the selection of the vendor to ensure the map meets the needs of the blind and wheelchair users.

Daughtry hopes the map increases both access and awareness.

“It's something that we can actually hear about and go and figure out a way to get there by ourselves. And I think that's really freeing, and I think opens up a lot of opportunities,” Daughtry said.

The installation is part of the broader goal to make the city parks and trails more accessible, said Michael Shermis, special projects coordinator.

The department committed almost $1 million in American Rescue Plan funds to increase inclusion. Former projects include a golf cart shuttle at Switchyard for wheelchair users and power-operated doors at four community and recreational centers.

“For the people with disabilities accessibility matters, and being able to get to places and, and to be able to use the services and features that are there, and this is just one way to be able to do it,” Shermis said.