Accessible summer activities

Marcy Marchello

Universal Access Program Coordinator, Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR)

View Marcy's Bio

The Department of Conservation and Recreation’s Universal Access Program provides information to people of all abilities with accessible outdoor activities, accessible parks and beaches, and locations of accessible recreation equipment. Committed to ensuring all people are able to get outside and enjoy recreational activities such as hiking, canoeing, and swimming, DCR’s Universal Access Program hosts a variety of accessible activity events. These events include:

Cycling on the Norwottuck Rail Trail in Hadley

Join All Out Adventures (AOA) on Fridays from 11 to 4 p.m. through August 26 and explore the wide variety of adaptive cycles for adults and kids including hand cycles, tricycles, tandems and recumbent bikes. Ride occasionally or weekly. Cost is $3 per program or use an AOA seasonal pass, pre-registration required. Call AOA to register at (413) 527-8980. 

Traveling Accessible Hiking Program

Take a gentle hike with Stavros Outdoor Access. Explore accessible trails and rugged paths with a focus on fun and meeting new people. Assistive equipment and teamwork unite people of abilities using Terra Trek mountain wheelchairs and push joggers. Bring a lunch and enjoy activities such as scavenger hunts, nature talks and letterboxing. Collect DCR passport stamps at each park!  Sighted guides are available. Programs cost $2 per person, $4 for families, and $10 for groups.  Call Stavros Outdoor Access to register: (413) 259-0009.

Other activities included in the list of events include skating, boating, skiing and fishing. Visit the online Universal Access brochure to get further details on accessible hiking trails and picnic areas across the state, and which state beaches have beach wheelchairs.

DCR also recommends visiting these sites for further information on accessible activities:

Northeast Passage: Living Beyond Disability

All Out Adventures: Outdoor Recreation for People of all Abilities

Community Boating Inc. Boston

Windrush Farm

Comments

[Valerie McKay]

I think the work DCR does is amazing, and I am so grateful to have these resources available to us in hard times. I've been deeply disappointed that Massasoit State Park has been closed to campers for two years, but I'm even more upset that the website for the park still states it is open for camping. That is such a shame -- think of families believing that they can still camp there, and arriving to find the gates closed.