Alabama State Parks Continues Accessibility Efforts

By DAVID RAINER, Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources

Accessibility is a key initiative spreading throughout the region with a focus on the outdoors at Alabama State Parks, where a recent donation expanded the possibilities for those with physical challenges.

A TerrainHopper was donated by the Alabama Mountain Lake Tourist Association (AMLA) to Joe Wheeler State Park in northwest Alabama and is designed to help a physically challenged person navigate rugged terrain, such as Joe Wheeler's Awesome Trail.

"North Alabama is leading a significant effort to enhance accessibility," said Chad Davis, Assistant Director of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources' (ADCNR) State Parks Division. Chairman of mountain lake executive committee. "I'm proud to chair of the executive committee of Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association, where they are working hard on these initiatives, such as providing the TerrainHopper that will allow individuals with mobility challenges to explore our trails at Joe Wheeler State Park."

"We have so many beautiful and spectacular state parks," said Conservation Commissioner Chris Blankenship. "We want all our citizens to be able to enjoy these special places, no matter their physical abilities."

According to TerrainHopper, it is an electrically powered off-road mobility vehicle with innovative technology and performance. With a ground clearance of nearly 10 inches and a 35-degree climbing capability, our vehicles are engineered to conquer deep mud, soft beach sand, snow, rocks, steep hills and many other obstacles. Some people have called our all-terrain mobility vehicle a "mini Land Rover."

Tami Reist, AMLA's President and CEO, said she was inspired by presentations on accessibility she saw at an international travel show to make areas in her region more available to those with physical challenges.

"I thought, 'We could do this,'" Reist said. "We started this journey little over year ago."

Reist made a call to TVA (Tennessee Valley Authority) to discuss a possible grant for a mobility device.

"A friend of mine at Bear Creek had taken over Overton Farm and was making it into a school outing place, and they're making it accessible," she said. "They had gotten a grant for this type of vehicle.

"So, we purchased the same type of vehicle, and I want to give it to one of our state parks. We gave it to Joe Wheeler. We had applied for a grant with Innovate Alabama. If we get that grant, it will allow us to put those same vehicles in places like Monte Sano State Park and DeSoto State Park. Some parks have some devices, but this just gives another opportunity for people with physical challenges to get out and see our beautiful north Alabama terrain.

"Chad was so excited about getting the TerrainHopper, and he was amazed at how great it did."

Reist said AMLA just got a grant for 38 wheelchairs that will be dispersed to the visitors' bureaus in north Alabama, and the Alabama Mountains, Rivers & Valleys Resource Conservation & Development Council awarded AMLA with a grant for Meta Smart Glasses.

"We're giving those smart glasses to the Hellen Keller Home (Tuscumbia, AL) to give the end user the opportunity to be able visualize and hear the story of Helen Keller," said, Reist, who is also identifying accessibility needs for hotels and venues that currently have limited access.

"We've trained 300 people in accessibility," she said. "Accessibility needs are different. They are learning how to work with people in this environment and open up those opportunities.

"We're starting to see more accessibility playgrounds and waterparks. We're really excited about this growing effort. We're glad to be doing it."