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Make no mistake about it, Staunton State Park (cpw.state.co.us/placestogo/parks/Staunton) includes some challenging physical access barriers for folks with mobility issues. That doesn’t mean you should cross it off your “to visit” list though. Quite the contrary, as track chairs are now available at this Colorado park. These all terrain wheelchairs make inclusive access a possibility for wheelchair-users and slow walkers. Says Track Chair Program Manager Natalie Bostow, “The goal of our program is to help everyone experience the outdoors, and to enable wheelchair-users and slow walkers to enjoy hikes with friends and family. And the Staunton State Park track chairs are our means to accomplish that.”

An Innovative Program

The Staunton State Park track chairs are the result of a collaborative partnership. The Friends of Staunton State Park (friendsofstauntonstatepark.org) raised the funds to buy the track chairs, while the state park manages the program. To date, a robust group of volunteers have conducted more than 1,000 track chair hikes

The track chairs have tank tracks instead of wheelchair tires, which makes it possible to explore terrain that’s off-limits to standard wheelchairs. They can be operated with a joystick — either a golf ball, a tennis ball or a t-bar — which can be mounted on either side of the track chair. You do need some hand dexterity to operate these chairs; however if you can operate a power wheelchair, you can probably operate a track chair.

Suspension and non-suspension track chairs are available, but the suspension models offer much smoother rides. A car seat is also available, so small children over the age of two can utilize the track chairs. The track chairs can accommodate up to 350 pounds, and there are variety of transfer boards and a sling lift on hand to facilitate safe transfers. The track chairs will work for almost everyone; however because of safety issues they are not appropriate for someone who is 100% ventilator-reliant.

And the track chair rules are pretty simple. All track chair users must be accompanied by a companion as well as a volunteer. After a short orientation the volunteer will walk behind the track chair, so they can jump in to help out if the user can’t manage things. Generally speaking though, the volunteers are there for support and they try to let users be as independent as possible.

Take a Hike

The Staunton State Park track chairs are free, but reservations are required. They can be made online on  the Staunton State Park reservation form. They are available from June to October on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Reservations open for the season on May 1, so plan ahead as they fill up quickly. And if you have any questions, just call (303) 816-0912.

When you get to the park, follow the signs to the Meadow Parking Lot. There’s accessible parking in front of the track chair garage, and an accessible picnic table next to it. There’s also an accessible vault toilet in the parking lot.

The track chairs have a battery range of about eight miles, but volunteers usually keep the hikes to four or five miles, just to be on the safe side. All of the track chair trails depart from the Meadow Parking Lot.

The most popular track chair trail is the Davis Ponds Trail, which is a 2.7-mile beginner trail with some stream crossings. There’s an accessible fishing pier and a picnic table at the mid-point, and adapted fishing poles are available at the track chair garage.

The more advanced 2.3-mile Mason Creek Trail includes some rock obstacles, but it also includes a peaceful meadow and stone house ruins. The longest and most difficult track chair trail is the 3.5-mile Staunton Ranch Trail, which travels through aspen filled meadows and offers a great view of Pikes Peak.

The track chairs also come with a backpack that has rain gear, additional water, tools and a blanket, but track chair-users are asked to bring water, medication, additional clothing layers, a seat cushion, a hat, sunblock and glasses. And don’t forget to pack along a lunch as there are a number of pleasant picnic spots to stop for a break throughout the park.