Michelle Verne
It’s clear so one can walk through it but the promised aromas of Primrose Jasmine and Lemon Scented Gum have been over shadowed by the scent of dead leaves.
Now all that fills it are several types of lifeless plants and dry shrub.
The Giant Sequoia is now an undersized dehydrated tree and the Birds of Paradise are singing for water.
Some plaques are missing or exist without any writing or Braille imprinting.
The sprinkler system carries cobwebs indicating dysfunction.
Behind the horticulture buildings, to the left of the dirt driveway is an old wooden bridge that leads to the beginning of The Braille Trail.
The Braille Institute and several other organizations dedicated the Pierce College Arboretum Braille Trail, an all-access sensory trail in 1970.
After being neglected for several years, it was revamped and rededicated by Pacific Telesis in 1995.
“It wasn’t really designed for students. I was told that it was designed for the blind and visually impaired people of the Valley,” said Norman Crozer, director of Special Services.
In order to find the trail, one might have to search because it’s somewhat hidden and appears not to be used that often.
A donor recognition board at the start of the trail describes its purpose, which is to acquaint the visitor with native and exotic plants by using their sense of smell and touch.
Yellow guide ropes on each side of the trail have a knot placed a foot before each plant, letting the visitor know when to expect to either smell or touch it.
Plaques are placed in front of each plant describing its name and origin.
Each plaque is written in English as well as Braille.
“I don’t know who’s supposed to be maintaining those plants,” said Paul Nieman, director of facilities.
“It hasn’t been a major high priority for us other than getting the weeds cleared out.”
Although the number of visitors has been minimal over the years, if given the opportunity to flourish again, it could be a nice place for a peaceful walk.
“We at Pierce have never had any kind of a significant number of blind or visually impaired students,” added Crozer.
“I don’t think that it ever met the reason it was designed for originally anyway. Our involvement has always been zero.”
Back in 1995, a woman came along and got some volunteers to restore The Braille Trail.
Unfortunately, after a few years the volunteers stopped coming and the trail is again in need of restoration.
“Maybe someone will come along and do what that one woman did. Get gung ho about it and want to fix it again,” said Crozer.
“Since there hasn’t been anything done to keep it that way, it’s probably gone back to the way it was before.”
Ever since the upkeep on the Braille Trail has not been maintained, the responsibility has been disregarded.
“Horticulture did not have the staff to take care of it,” said Nieman.
“We now have a gardener over there so it’s a lot neater than it has been in a long time.”
Apparently the future for the trail is unclear.
“It’s more of an academic function as to what they want to do with it. The pathway is clear, which is what my guys are trying to make sure is happening. But as far as the rest of it, I don’t know much about it,” said Nieman.
In the meantime, the Braille Trail will remain as it is now, in the shadows patiently waiting for someone to either care for it or to find a reason for its use.
Plant facilities maintains the pathway along the trail. Director Paul Nieman said “Horticulture did not have the staff to take care of it.” (Patti Loomis)
IS THERE ANY ONE HERE? The 30-year-old Braille Trail appears to be empty Monday. Revamped by Pacific Telesis in 1995, the trail was initially built for the blind community of the San Fernando Valley. No longer maintained, the trail’s plants and trees have become overgrown. (Ava Weintraub)