Officer James Taylor, left, and Goshen science teacher Davey Brown cut the ribbon for the new-and-improved O’Bannon Creek Nature Trail behind Goshen High School. The trail is now handicapped accessible with assistance.

Officer James Taylor, left, and Goshen science teacher Davey Brown cut the ribbon for the new-and-improved O’Bannon Creek Nature Trail behind Goshen High School. The trail is now handicapped accessible with assistance.
The O’Bannon Creek Nature Trail in Goshen Township has been a fixture for the students and staff of Goshen schools. It provides a nice walking path and the opportunity for students to explore nature during class.

However, the trail was limited. The rough terrain and narrow trail didn’t accommodate wheelchairs or walkers and kept handicapped students inside when their peers were out exploring.

“We wanted to figure out how to get them out there,” Julianne Nesbit, of the Clermont County Health District, said about the trail.

So the health district helped secure a $25,000 grant through Hamilton County Public Health, as part of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention Strategic Alliance for Health Program, to renovate the trail and make it handicapped accessible.

The most significant improvement was the crushed gravel footing that was installed on the trail. The trail was also widened, and the two improvements alone will allow wheelchairs to pass over the trail with some assistance.

In addition, a look-out area was constructed on the trail overlooking a creek and waterfall. Benches will be added to the area to enable a full classroom of students to have class outside.

“This is important to us as a school community,” Goshen Local School District Superintendent Darrell Edwards said. “It helps to open doors to learning opportunities for all of our students.”

Davey Brown, a science teacher, said the finished trail looked fantastic. He plans to have science classes back by the lookout area and is glad that all students will be able to participate.

Officer James Taylor, of the Goshen Police Department, was the man behind much of the construction and even helped with the trail on his summer vacation. Officer Taylor surprised everyone with the look-out area, which he came up with on his own.

“Yeah I worked on it, but I had a lot of help,” Officer Taylor said at the opening. “I don’t have a big enough shovel to do all this by myself. Because of the community members that went above and beyond it makes it really special.”

The trail is open to anyone in the community. It is located behind Goshen High School, and parking is available in the high school parking lot.

“We hope this is a place where you can come and enjoy,” Superintendent Edwards said.