22 Tennessee State Parks Provide All-Terrain Wheelchairs for Visitors to Use

Enhancing Accessibility in the Volunteer State

Tennessee has launched an innovative program to enhance accessibility in its state parks by providing all-terrain electric wheelchairs at 22 locations. This initiative aims to enable disabled visitors, both children and adults, to explore the natural beauty of Tennessee’s state parks without restrictions.

A Welcome Initiative

“We’re trying to extend other parts of accessibility so everybody feels welcome and invited to come to Tennessee State Parks,” said Greer Tidwell, the deputy commissioner. The all-terrain wheelchairs are available for free, though they are limited in number at each park. Visitors are encouraged to call ahead and make a reservation to ensure availability.

Impact on the Community

Mary Lu Shipstad, a Tennessee resident with a spinal cord injury, expressed her gratitude for the program. “I thought that with a spinal cord injury, I would never be able to enjoy a nature trail again, and these chairs have just opened up that world again for me,” she told Scripps News.

Expanding Accessibility

Tennessee joins a growing list of states and parks that offer similar services, including Colorado, Michigan, South Dakota, and the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, a National Park Service unit. In 2022, it was reported that Georgia and Minnesota also provide all-terrain chairs at some of their parks.

While these wheelchairs are expensive and heavy, making them available in only some parks, the initiative is a significant step toward inclusivity. Visitors should always check availability before planning a visit with a disabled friend or loved one.

For more information, visitors can check the Tennessee State Parks website, although it is currently down for maintenance.

A Broader Movement

This initiative reflects a broader movement toward making outdoor recreational areas accessible to everyone. Recently, Greece implemented self-operating ramps into the water on hundreds of beaches to improve wheelchair accessibility.

Programs like these are crucial for ensuring that all individuals, regardless of physical ability, can enjoy and benefit from the natural world. Tennessee’s effort is a commendable example of how states can work towards inclusivity and accessibility in public spaces.