An effort to make outdoor recreation in Michigan more accessible for everyone continues to gain steam as the Michigan Department of Natural Resources says it’s reached its funding goal of more than $400,000 to purchase track chairs for a growing number of state parks and trails.
The DNR says more than 300 donors have raised just under $445,000 over the past five years to purchase track chairs, which are off-road, electronic chairs that can easily handle trails, snow, sand and even up to eight inches of water. That allows users to explore areas of the parks that traditional wheelchairs might not reach.
15 locations around the state now have track chairs available for use at no cost, with ten additional locations soon to receive chairs, thanks to the fundraising campaign.
Among the parks with track chair availability is Warren Dunes State Park.
The DNR says the cost of one track chair is about $16,000, and the hope is to continue to add to the state’s fleet of track chairs over time. Anyone wishing to contribute can donate online.
A new report from Bridge Michigan says now that Michigan has 25 track chairs for its parks, it leads the nation in recreation accessibility.
