South Hadley
Here is a list with links to the many conservation areas managed by South Hadley. Map You might call them to learn about accessibility: 413-538-5030
The Bachelor Brook/Stony Brook Resource Area conservation property is 285 acres and was purchased on 2005. This property is open to the public. The property has 3.0 miles of easy public trails including an ADA wheelchair accessible loop trail. Thanks to S M Burk for bringing it to my attention and providing the link.
Smithgall Woods State Park and Conservation Area
“Come fish in crystal clear trout streams of the Dukes Creek Watershed, or hike through wildflower covered trails on the Blue Ridge Escarpment at Smithgall Woods State Park, a masterpiece of nature….” Trail Map Review from wandernortherngeorgia.com.
Here is the Park website. Phone 706-878-3087 for more information.
The gravel surface Visitor Center Loop is about 1/4 mile long and is “easy for wheelchair or baby buggy”. About half of it goes through woods and the other half along Dukes Creek.
White River National Forest
“White River National Forest is the most visited national forest in the nation encompassing 2.3 million acres. With 11 ski resorts, eight Wilderness areas, 10 mountain peaks over 14,000 feet and 2,500 miles of trails, this forest is a place where you can press play on adventure and inspiration!” Here is the Forest website. Phone for the Forest Supervisor’s Office in Glenwood Springs is 970-945-2521.
Tenmile Canyon National Recreation Trail at Black Lake Number One
Thanks to Bob King who provided all the following information and photographs:
The Tenmile National Recreation Trail, is paved and extends for 18 miles, connecting to other paved trails. It passes by Black Lake, altitude about 10,500″. The lake is a beautiful spot with a fishing pier and quite a few wildflowers. We’ve also seen Bald Eagles flying above the trees. Watch for bicyclists and stay on the right-hand side of the path Weekdays and late summer after schools are in session are less crowded times to go.
We park in a gravel lot below the dam…. There is no handicapped parking designation and there is a little lip up from the gravel lot onto the trail. We get to this spot from the Vail Pass exit off I 70 and then take the frontage road short distance to Black Lake. There are two other parking areas, but this is the safest place for wheelchairs, next to the gate that restricts car traffic. There is also a picnic area here. More information.
Peaks to Plains Trail
The Peaks to Plains Trail project is will create a 65-mile trail that “will one day connect the South Platte Trail in Denver to the headwaters of Clear Creek at Loveland Pass. Once completed, it will connect four counties and seven cities, with a total elevation gain of more than 1 mile.” “The first portions of the Peaks to Plains Trail in Clear Creek Canyon Park opened in 2016 and 2017, offering four miles of 10-foot-wide paved surface right along Clear Creek. The next step will be continuing the trail east to Golden with the Clear Creek canyon Park – Gateway Segment. Here is Jefferson County’s website regarding the trail.
For more information from Jefferson County, call 720-893-1313. This project is a collaboration among multiple agencies, including the Colorado Department of Transportation. Here is CDOT’s map of the proposed and existing trail. Thank you to Robert King who brought this project to our attention.
Summit County
Summit County maintains an extensive paved Recreational Pathway System, commonly known as the Recpath. Elevations range from 8,777 feet to 10,563 feet,
Thank you to Robert King who wrote, “There are many miles of paved, wheelchair accessible trails [in] Summit County Colorado that I did not see listed on your website. An introduction to all of them can be found at ….”Summit County Recreational Pathway website.
Blue River Trail from North Pond Park
Thanks again to Robert King for the following post:
“The Blue River Trail runs 3.5 mi from North Pond Park through downtown Silverthorne, CO to the Lake Dillon Dam, where it connects with the Summit County Recreation path The Blue River Trail runs 3.5 mi from North Pond Park through downtown Silverthorne, CO to the Lake Dillon Dam, where it connects with the Summit County Recreation path. North Pond Park is located at the intersection of Highway 9 and Hamilton Creek Road. It is a wetland and pond area with fishing for humans and ospreys. There is a paved parking lot with handicap spaces along with 2 pavilions, restrooms, 2 docks, and a gas fire pit. Travel a short distance on the sidewalk along Hamilton Creek Road to the trail crossing. From there travel south toward the town of Silverthorne. The trail skirts housing developments as follows the Blue River. After 0.7 mi, the path goes onto a street and we turn back.”
Ten Mile Recreation Trail
Hancock Shaker Village
“Hancock Shaker Village is a landmark destination of 750 acres, 20 historic Shaker buildings, and over 22,000 Shaker artifacts. On the National Historic Register, it is the most comprehensively interpreted Shaker site in the world, and the oldest working farm in the Berkshires of Western Massachusetts.” The address is 1843 West Housatonic St., Pittsfield MA. Their telephone is 413-443-0188. Here is their website. Walking tour/guide map.
“The Village’s Farm and Forest Trail is a one-mile, universally-accessible loop trail that winds through pastureland and forests adjacent to the historic village. Along the trail, walkers will encounter illustrated interpretive panels that highlight the historical, environmental, social, cultural, and natural significance of this special area.”
Accessible Travel website with trip ideas and downloadable brochure: Accessible Outdoor Recreation Travel Guide created in partnership with Oregon Spinal Cord Injury Connection, Adventures Without Limits, and Willamette Partnership. Here is another really nice pdf: Oregon Accessibility Travel Guide “From wheelchair users around the state.” Thank you LJ for letting us know about these.
Washington County
Washington County has a some opportunities for accessible outdoor activities in their Disability Resource Guide. Scroll down to the section on Recreation to see them.
Desoto National Memorial
“De Soto National Memorial, in Manatee County 5 miles west of Bradenton, Florida, commemorates the 1539 landing of Hernando de Soto and the first extensive organized exploration by Europeans of what is now the southern United States. The memorial includes 26 acres, where the Manatee River joins Tampa Bay.” (from Wikipedia) Thank you Diane McConnell for letting me know about this park. She writes that the crushed shell trails through mangroves are wide and flat.
“A visitor to De Soto National Memorial can quickly experience four distinct natural ecosystems along the park’s half mile nature trail. The park is situated along the south shore of the Manatee River at the mouth of Tampa Bay. The Bay is a subtropical estuary consisting of open water and a mixture of mangrove and salt marsh vegetation in the tidal zone.” Map Phone 941-792-0458 x105 Website
The Nature Trail winds along the shoreline and through several Florida ecosystems, including a mangrove forest like the one that De Soto’s men would have encountered when they landed. Trails include interpretive signage and waysides that tell the story of the De Soto Expedition and the natural history of the area.
Covid restrictions as of March 2020: “De Soto National Memorial’s parking lot, nature trails, and restroom facilities are open. The Visitor Center remains closed. ”
Robinson Nature Preserve
“Robinson Preserve is located in northwest Bradenton…. Including the recently acquired “Expansion” and Winston tract properties, the preserve now consists of 682 acres that is a mix of preserved mangrove, tidal marsh, and former agricultural lands which have undergone an incredible transformation to coastal wetland habitat.” “Bike or roller blade on 2.5 miles of paved trail, and hikers can explore more than 5 miles of shell and coastal trails.” Thank you to Diane McConnell for bringing this park to my attention. Here is the park website. Brochure Phone 941-742-5923
There is one paved trail that begins at the entrance of Robinson Preserve and traverses the entire preserve ending at Manatee Avenue. Most of the trails are packed shell through the preserve. Please help to protect the habitat and resident wildlife by remaining on designated trails at all times.