There's good news on the economic stimulus front -- some of that money has actually trickled down to an access project. Specifically, the funds will be used to improve access at a California wildlife preserve.
Continue reading "Stimulus Money to Build Accessible Trail" »Friday, August 28. 2009
Stimulus Money to Build Accessible Trail
Monday, August 24. 2009
Nordic Walking Resource
As I was cleaning off my desk today, I unearthed a book sent to me earlier this summer: Nordic Walking, by Claire Walter. It was released a few months back, but with my own book release and a number of other projects I really never got around to looking it over.
Continue reading "Nordic Walking Resource" »
Friday, June 5. 2009
Save California's State Parks!
It's sad that it has to come to this, but California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, is proposing to close 80% of California's state parks in order to balance our budget. That translates in to 220 state park closures that would net a $143 million savings for the state. I know it sounds like a lot, but really it's just a drop in the bucket.
Continue reading "Save California's State Parks!" »Friday, April 17. 2009
Impressed with Zion's Accessible Transportation
As I'm spending the second day in Zion National Park, I can't help but notice what a great job they have done with their wheelchair accessible shuttle bus system. To be honest, when they implemented the whole system they had a huge problem with too many autos in the park. Not only did the traffic take away from the whole natural experience, but there just weren't enough parking spaces to accommodate all of the cars.
Continue reading "Impressed with Zion's Accessible Transportation" »
Continue reading "Impressed with Zion's Accessible Transportation" »
Sunday, September 28. 2008
Geocaching Anyone?
Last week while we were doing some editorial research in Big Bear Lake, Charles and I found our first geocache. Am I speaking a foreign language to you? No worries, you're not alone. When I told my friend Connie about geocaching, she thought I was literally looking for a bunch of rocks. Not exactly.
Continue reading "Geocaching Anyone?" »Tuesday, May 27. 2008
Hit the Trail in Northern California
If you live in (or are planning a visit to) Northern California, and you'd like to explore some accessible trails, then join the folks at the Nevada County Land Trust for one of their "Treks for People with Limited Mobility". Developed in partnership with the FREED Center for Independent Living in Grass Valley, this new program offers naturalist-led hikes to some of the accessible trails in the area.
The hikes are conducted on the second and fourth Sundays of the month, rain or shine. All trails are rated as accessible, and are suitable for power and manual wheelchair-users. Additionally, some hikes include a stop for a picnic lunch (bring your own) in an accessible picnic area. And the best news is, they're priced at a very reasonable $3 for NCLT members and $5 for non-members. And in the spirit of inclusion, everyone is welcome.
The June schedule includes a hike on Rock Creek Trail, which is located 14 miles from Grass Valley: and a trek around Frazier Falls in the Gold Lakes Basin. More hikes will be added to the schedule later this summer.
The hikes are conducted on the second and fourth Sundays of the month, rain or shine. All trails are rated as accessible, and are suitable for power and manual wheelchair-users. Additionally, some hikes include a stop for a picnic lunch (bring your own) in an accessible picnic area. And the best news is, they're priced at a very reasonable $3 for NCLT members and $5 for non-members. And in the spirit of inclusion, everyone is welcome.
The June schedule includes a hike on Rock Creek Trail, which is located 14 miles from Grass Valley: and a trek around Frazier Falls in the Gold Lakes Basin. More hikes will be added to the schedule later this summer.
For more information about the treks, give Stephanie at call at (530) 272-5994.
And get ready to hit the trail this summer!
Monday, February 4. 2008
Feedback Wanted on Accessible Trail Plans
The US Forest Service is seeking public comments about a new accessible trail planned for the Sawtooth National Recreation area, located northwest of Ketchum, Idaho.
The project focuses on making the first mile of the primitive Murdock Creek Trail wheelchair-accessible. Planned access upgrades include two bridges over Murdock Creek, widening the existing trail to 36-inches, constructing 5 foot X 5 foot passing spaces every 1,000 feet and removing surface obstacles such as rocks.
The goal is to provide barrier-free access while at the same time preserving the wilderness character of the area. It will allow wheelers to travel into the back country and camp out under the stars.
Of course the US Forest Service wants to do it right, and to that end they are seeking public comments on this proposal. You can send them by e-mail to ecannady@fs.fed.us or by snail mail to 5 North Fork Canyon Rd., Ketchum, ID 83340, attn: Murdock Creek Project.
Why bother to submit comments? First and foremost to let the US Forest Service know that people out there support this project. And of course if you have some expertise in the design of barrier-free trails, your ideas may help with the completion of this project.
So whether you’re an avid outdoor enthusiast or someone who has just dreamed about being able to hike and camp in the back country, drop the folks at the US Forest Service a short note saying that you support their efforts to make wilderness areas accessible to everyone.
Remember, every comment counts. The deadline is February 21, so get busy
Monday, September 3. 2007
New Beach Access
Labor day is a great day to go to the beach, and this year there’s one more beach out there that is wheelchair accessible. Thanks to the efforts of Dave Mims, Frisco Beach on Cape Hatteras National Seashore now sports a new beach ramp.
Dave was frustrated that the only way his daughter (who uses a wheelchair) could access their favorite beach was for him to carry her down the steps at the beach access point. Over the years this became tiring, so Dave wrote to the National Park Service to see how they could fix it. Of course there was a lot of red tape to wade through, but in the end Dave got the permit and raised the $3,900 to build the new access ramp.
The ramp opened this summer.
So, check it out next time you are in the Outer Banks. It’s located on Highway 12 near milepost 69.
Good work, Dave.
And Happy Labor Day.
Sunday, August 19. 2007
A Little Handcycling
My pal Mike Augspurger just dropped me a note to remind me of the upcoming 2nd Annual Offroad Handcycling Championships. Slated to run on August 25-26 in Crested Butte, Colorado, this US Handcycling event includes a five-mile cross-country race, a three-mile hill climb and a trials exhibition.
Definitely not for the faint of heart!
Still, it looks to be great fun and if I didn’t have a previous commitment, I’d be tempeted to check it out. Thanks for the invite Mike!
And thanks to the Crested Butte Adaptive Sports Center for helping make this event possible.
For more information about the event, visit
http://www.ushandcycling.org/offroad_07.html
And if you’re in the area -- check it out.
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