credit – Tennessee State Parks
Tennessee State Parks has recently introduced a program at 22 of its locations to provide all-terrain electric wheelchairs to visitors, free of charge. This initiative allows individuals with disabilities to enjoy the stunning landscapes of the Volunteer State.

“We’re striving to enhance accessibility so everyone feels welcome and invited to Tennessee State Parks,” said deputy commissioner Greer Tidwell.

Due to the limited availability of these wheelchairs at each park, a TN news website advises making a reservation in advance. The contact information for each park can be found on the Tennessee State Parks website, which is currently undergoing maintenance.

Mary Lu Shipstad, a Tennessee resident with a spinal cord injury, shared her experience: “I thought I would never be able to enjoy a nature trail again, but these chairs have reopened that world for me.”

Tennessee joins several other states and parks, including Colorado, Michigan, South Dakota, and Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, a unit of the National Park Service, in offering or reserving off-road wheelchairs for visitors.

In 2022, GNN reported that Georgia and Minnesota also provide all-terrain chairs at some of their parks. As these wheelchairs are expensive and heavy, they are only available at certain parks. It is therefore recommended to check availability before planning a day out with a disabled friend or loved one.

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Source: Good News Network