CASTILE, N.Y. — ​Getting outside on nature trails is one way people are staying active during this pandemic. But the trails aren’t always accessible for everyone.

An all-inclusive one mile loop is coming to Letchworth State Park this year. Organizers say they are so close to their fundraising goal to make it a reality.

Last time Spectrum News spoke with organizer Loren Penman, she said they were at about $2.6 million raised of their $3.7 million goal. They’ve recently hit the $3 million mark and they’re hopeful the autism nature trail will be completed this year.

The trail is an interactive one mile loop, designed specifically for people with autism and other developmental disabilities. Along the trail, there will be eight different stations, each offering something different, from a sensory station to a music circle. IT’s 100% ADA compliant, so it’s accessible for everyone.

Penman began conversations on this back in 2015 and now six years later, it’s almost a reality.

"It's been a grass roots effort from its early beginnings when it was just a conversation back in 2015 but the closer we get to our goal of 3.7 million dollars, the more people are stepping up saying I have an idea and I'd like to help," Penman said.

She says they need just a little bit more to realize those goals and soon construction can get started.

"If the weather is good to us, we hope it will be much sooner than later," said Penman. "But if you are so inclined to read the 300 plus pages of the 2021 State of the State document, the Autism Nature trail is page 183 and the governor promised to open in 2021."

This is a completely privately funded venture in a New York State Park, so they need the last bit of help to get there.

"There are no huge grants," said Penman. "There has been very generous contributions from the Community Foundation of Greater Buffalo and the Children's Guild Foundation of Buffalo, but in terms of where we made our money, it is the mom and pop version of fundraising and to get to three million that way is really extraordinary."

Penman says she’s extremely grateful to everyone who’s helped so far.

For example, they won a competition to have their logo printed on a Cellino Plumbing truck that now drives around town.

Local offices held their own fundraisers.

And they welcome anyone else who wants to help.

"We are always open to ideas. Whether it's civic organizations or scout troops, schools or agencies. Even families or neighborhoods," she said. "During this time of the pandemic, there has been a tremendous need and we understand that. But what the ANT offers is something lasting, something that is hopeful and something that is for the future."

The trail will be near the Humphrey Nature Center and there is currently a path that is walkable so people can see the site before construction starts.

To learn how you can get involved and donate, head to the AutismNatureTrail.com.