Local artist Eric Jones creates “beautiful, welcoming space”
From ACDOH,
BELMONT, NY — Allegany County Department of Health, Children Services Children and Youth with Special health Care Needs Program (CYSHCN) announces the success of their Sensory Garden Ribbon Cutting event at Caneadea Park in Houghton NY on September 15, 2026.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrated the completion of this community project made possible by our Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs Grant. The ribbon cutting marks the start of the Sensory Garden Project with organizers already aiming toward additional grant funding for expansion.
The project was brought to life by Local Artist, Eric Jones, whose talent, creativity, and hard work has created a beautiful and welcoming space for children and families in the community.
The goal of the sensory garden is to offer opportunities for children to explore nature through touch, sight, and movement in a peaceful outdoor setting. The space is designed to encourage sensory exploration, play, relaxation, and connection with the natural environment. The sensory garden was developed with inclusion and accessibility in mind, providing children with a space to engage with the outdoors in ways that support different sensory needs and abilities. Most importantly, this space brings awareness to special needs while encouraging children of all abilities to play side by side.
At the ribbon cutting event, the Allegany County Department of Health CYCHCN Program was presented with a Certificate of Recognition by Julie Schmidt from New York State Senator George Borrello’s office, and by Lee James from New York State Assemblyman Joe Sempolinski’s office.
The Allegany County Department of Health would like to thank the Individuals, Families that attended the ribbon cutting ceremony, Belfast School and Fillmore School for bringing an amazing group of students to explore the garden, and our community partners, Friends of the Greenway Trail, Town of Caneadea, RVER Group, NYS Parks and Trails and NYS Parks that guided and supported the project throughout the process.
