GRIT

trakchair

Wildwood Preserve Track Chair Loaner Program

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Toledo’s Wildwood Preserve Metropark (metroparkstoledo.com/explore-your-parks/wildwood-preserve-metropark/) now has two models of track chairs and some adaptive bicycles for loan. Bisected by the Ottawa River, this 493-acre park is well known for its varied terrain and well developed trail system. And thanks to the Wildwood Preserve Track Chair Loaner Program, everyone can now explore all the nooks and crannies of this popular park.

Track Chairs and Trikes

The Wildwood Preserve Track Chair Loaner Program includes one Action Trackchair with a 22-inch wide seat. It’s outfitted with a four-point harness, a seatbelt extension, armrest pockets, an oxygen tank holder and an attendant control. There is no weight restriction on this chair.

The park also has a GRIT Freedom Chair, a recumbent trike and an upright trike to loan.

All of the track chairs and trikes must be reserved at least three business days in advance. They are available for loan in three-hour increments, and all track chair-users must bring along a companion to accompany them on their hikes. The companion must be able to assist with transfers, as park employees are not allowed to help.

The loaner track chairs and trikes can be picked up at the maintenance area in the park, which is close to a number of trails. The closest ADA parking is located at Metz Stables. Accessible restrooms are also located at Metz Stables and near the playground.

The following form can be used to request the loaner track chairs or adaptive bicycles.
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSemvCMUaMisLGDjUWDxojdMYyxkO_tSm4mPOtpmBiP7T1vxzQ/viewform

For more information about this program, or for details about your reservation contact Ashley Smith at (419) 265-2920.

Barrier-Free TravelYosemite, Sequoia and Kings CanyonNational Parksfor Wheelers and Slow Walkers Buy the Book

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Yosemite, Sequoia and Kings Canyon
National Parks
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GRIT

Texas State Parks Offer GRIT Freedom Chairs

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In order to make their natural areas more accessible to wheelchair-users and slow walkers, a number of Texas state parks offer GRIT Freedom Chairs. The GRIT Freedom Chair is a cross between a manual wheelchair and a mountain bike, and it allows wheelchair-users and slow walkers to access rugged terrain or sandy beaches.

Built with mountain bike parts, the GRIT Freedom Chair has three wheels – two standard wheelchair wheels on the sides of the seat, and a smaller wheel in front of the chair. It’s easier to self-propel than a standard wheelchair, thanks to the lever handles installed on each side of the seat; however there are also push handles on the back of the chair for folks who need more assistance. Add in some all terrain tires, and you have a rugged wheelchair, built to tackle rougher terrain. And although GRIT Freedom Chairs are easy to transport, these Texas State Parks offer loaner models on site.

Atlanta State Park

Bastrop State Park

Brazos Bend State Park

Cedar Hill State Park

Dangerfield State Park

Dinosaur Valley State Park

Estero Llano Grande State Park

Government Canyon State Natural Area

Guadalupe River State Park

Inks Lake State Park 

Lake Corpus Christi State Park

McKinney Falls State Park

Mother Neff State Park 

Palo Duro Canyon State Park

Purtis Creek State Park

Ray Roberts State Park – Isle du Bois Unit

San Angelo State Park

Sea Rim State Park

And the good news is, thanks to the popularity of these GRIT Freedom chairs, more and more Texas state parks are adding them to their inventory. So check out this updated list to see if any additional Texas State Parks offer these adaptive wheelchairs tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/park-information/accessibility/assistive-chairs.

Barrier-Free Travel Utah National Parks for Wheelchair-users and Slow Walkers Buy the Book

Barrier-Free Travel
Utah National Parks
for Wheelchair-users and Slow Walkers

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rocky-mountain

All Terrain Wheelchair in Rocky Mountain National Park

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Rocky Mountain National Park

Thanks to a generous donation from the Sam Schneider Legacy Foundation, the Rocky Mountain Conservancy now has a GRIT Freedom Wheelchair to loan visitors to Rocky Mountain National Park. Initially the Foundation offered this all-terrain wheelchair to former Conservancy employee Quinn Brett, who sustained a spinal cord injury while climbing in Yosemite. Brett told the foundation that she would rather let as many people as possible have access to the all terrain wheelchair, and suggested that it be donated to the Conservancy. So now more people can use this all terrain wheelchair in Rocky Mountain National Park.

GRIT Freedom Chair

The donated GRIT Freedom Chair has two standard wheels on the sides of the seat, and a smaller wheel in front of the chair. It can be operated independently with the lever handles on each side of the seat. Alternatively, a companion can use the push handles on the back to propel the chair. Not only will the GRIT Freedom Chair navigate the accessible trails in Rocky Mountain National Park, but it’s also built to tackle rugged backcountry trails.

The all terrain wheelchair in Rocky Mountain National Park is housed at the Estes Park Mountain Shop at 2050 Big Thompson Avenue in Estes Park. There is no charge to use the wheelchair, which can be reserved by calling (970) 586-6548. For safety purposes it’s recommended that all terrain wheelchair-users hike with a companion, and that folks bring along plenty of water, sunscreen, insect repellent and snacks. And don’t forget extra medication, in case there is a delay returning to Estes Park. Additionally, users must be able to transfer to the all terrain wheelchair independently, or with assistance from a companion.

And thanks to the generosity of Estes Park resident Brian Keapplinger, more all terrain wheelchairs will be available in the future. Says Zach Zehr of Estes Park Mountain Shop, “He’s reached out to us to extend the inventory of mobility chairs, for when people come to us and say, ‘Hey, we’d love to use this but it’s already on reservation.’”
For more information about the all terrain wheelchair in Rocky Mountain National Park, visit www.estesparkmountainshop.com/summer-rentals

 

Barrier-Free Travel22 Accessible Road Tripsfor Wheelers and Slow Walkers Buy the Book

Barrier-Free Travel
22 Accessible Road Trips
for Wheelers and Slow Walkers

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