Trinity Community Park officially opened three major new features last month with a celebration that drew so many residents, civic leaders and volunteers, it filled the parking lot and more.

Coinciding with International Peace Day, Trinity Community Park organizers and caretakers had official ribbon cuttings celebration Sept. 21 at the park in Monument to celebrate the completion of its most recent phases, including a meditation labyrinth, a sensory trail and tactile sensory wall and its new dog park. The celebration also included music, children’s games, bubbles, face painting, rock painting and a fire truck appearance.

Pastor Nicole Ferry and intern deacon Teddy Celements kicked off the event with a blessing, followed by the unveiling of the meditation labyrinth, a walking path created with support of the Tri-Lakes Dynamic Rotary Club and Tri-Lakes Women’s Club. The two organizations funded benches for the contemplative space.

Tamara Schwarz, executive director of Trinity Community Park, praised the community’s collective effort in making the expansion possible.

“Children represent 17% of our population, but they represent 100-percent of our future,” Schwarz said. “Giving them a safe space to come play and be kids, to enjoy life, isn’t that what it’s all about? That’s what Trinity Community Park is all about.”

High school student Austin Johnson, 16, spearheaded the design of the labyrinth and said he devoted more than 90 hours to the project and coordinated an additional 200 hours of volunteer assistance. From surveying to layout, his work was noted for its precision, with just a 0.2-percent margin of error.

The labyrinth includes signage, wind art, a soft chime and at its center, a Rotary International Peace Pole inscribed with “May Peace Prevail on Earth” in eight languages commonly spoken in the Tri-Lakes region.

The sensory trail and tactile sensory wall, described as the first of its kind in Colorado. Designed for people of all abilities, the trail features 11 different walking surfaces from gravel to wood planks and even includes a bridge.

The adjacent wall invites visitors to touch and explore nine hidden doors with materials such as artificial turf, firehose fabric, rubber from a bicycle tire and polished wood. Organizers encouraged guests to walk the trail in different ways, for example blindfolded, with a mobility cane, or in a wheelchair to experience the world from a new perspective.

“For people with disabilities, this trail provides a safe space to immerse themselves in textures and elements at their own comfort level,” Schwarz said. “It’s a place where everybody, at every stage of life, has an opportunity to play and explore.”

Community member Lisa Macneir described her experience of walking the trail blindfolded.

“Losing sight for a moment gave me a vision I’ll carry forever. It’s a reminder of the strength within us, the power of our senses, and the resilience of those who navigate the world without sight every day,” she said. “Every sound, texture and scent became sharper, teaching me how much strength and awareness the blind carry every day. I left with a deep appreciation of their courage and resilience.”

The sensory trail was made possible by a grant from the Morgridge Family Foundation.

Trinity Community Park, located at 17750 Knollwood Drive, has been built in stages over several years with input from local leaders, nonprofits and youth organizations. Each phase has focused on creating spaces which promote wellness, recreation and inclusion.

Monument Mayor Mitch LaKind said the new phases reflect the town’s values of service and community building.

“This park is a shining example of what can happen when young leaders, local organizations and volunteers come together with a vision,” LaKind said. “It gives us all a place to connect, to play and to grow stronger as a community.”

El Paso County Commissioner Bill Wysong called the project a “model for community collaboration” in El Paso County.

Schwarz said the park’s mission is to remain responsive to the needs of Monument and the surrounding Tri-Lakes area. She credited partnerships with Rotary, Girl Scouts, local schools and foundations for bringing ideas to life.

“What makes Trinity Community Park special is that each new feature grows directly out of community vision and support,” Schwarz said. “Whether it’s a labyrinth for quiet reflection, a sensory trail for learning, or a dog park for companionship, every project begins with the question, how can we better serve everyone who lives here?”

As families left with painted faces, tired dogs and fresh appreciation for new experiences, organizers said the celebration reflected more than just the completion of three projects.

“It’s about building peace, building connections and building a future where everyone has a place,” Schwarz said.