Calling all water lovers in the mobility disability community!!

Join Ocean Positive and Ocean County Parks and Recreation for this first ever event and collaboration in Ocean County showcasing inclusive outdoor aquatic activities and community building.

Supporting inclusive outdoor recreation and empowering those with physical and mobility challenges to explore recreation and sport in our natural waters.

Registration begins March 15th by going to – http://www.bcoceanpositive.org

The Burlington County Commissioners are seeking the public’s input on county parks, regional trails, parks programs and how residents would like to see open space funds invested.

Burlington County residents and visitors are encouraged to participate in an online survey about county parks, trails, recreational facilities and programs, open space and other needs. There are 41 questions in the survey. Most questions are related to existing Burlington County Parks and community programs. There are also questions about future investments and Burlington County’s passive and active recreation needs.

All responses will remain anonymous, and the feedback will be used as part of an update to Burlington County’s Open Space and Recreation Plan.

To complete the survey, visit Burlington County Open Space & Recreational Needs Assessment

Ocean Positive and Pinelands Alliance have teamed together to provide training for your staff and volunteers on safety protocols, emergency response, and respectful interactions with participants who have physical disabilities.

Almost 500,000 NJ residents have a Spinal Cord Injury/Disorder or Movement Challenge, yet there is currently no systematic training available for outdoor recreational and community locations on how to provide services appropriate to the needs of these residents.

The free “Safe & Positive For All” training sessions taught by the team from Ocean Positive are designed for land management leaders, guides, support staff and coordinators for agencies and other providers of outdoor recreation opportunities that may include those with special physical needs or movement challenges.

Elements of the sessions and larger support services may include:
• Training in building disability planning into your safety and emergency procedures
• Support in assessing a trail or scenic location for inclusive programming
• Training in customizing program details to meet the needs of people with mobility challenges, developmental disabilities, or other disability concerns.
• Support in building connections with other providers and potential participants involved in the inclusive outdoor arena

If you have any questions regarding organizing or logistics for offering a workshop, please reach out to Nature Disability Advocate, Sean Kane Holland at sean@pinelandsalliance.org or call 609-859-8860 ext. 117.

The South Jersey Transportation Planning Organization (SJTPO) has announced the launch and development of a Regional Active Transportation Plan (ATP) for Atlantic, Cape May, Cumberland, and Salem Counties. The plan aims to enhance mobility, accessibility, and safety for all residents and visitors by connecting key regional destinations, promoting economic growth, and integrating with larger trails networks in the future. The plan focuses on undeserved communities and incorporates analyses of demographic, safety, and traffic stress factors to develop a comprehensive, interconnected network of active transportation infrastructure. Prioritized improvements and implementation steps are scheduled to begin in 2026. As part of this effort, the SJTPO invites the public to share input on current transportation experiences, travel patterns, challenges, and desired transportation improvements. Your voice is vital in guiding strategies and improvements for a better transportation network for everyone. The survey will be open until November 31, 2025.

• English – https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SJTPOATP
• Spanish – https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SJTPOATPesp

Somerset County Park Commission want to hear from you!!! Assist the county parks with your feedback for there all terrain wheelchair survey.

The Somerset County Park Commission is exploring options to obtain an all-terrain
wheelchair (ATW) and/or other power-driven mobility device (OPDMD) to have available for
use by park visitors. An ATW or OPDMD will help make SCPC parks accessible to more
individuals. If you, or someone you know could benefit from this offering, please consider
completing the survey and/or joining us for a focus group session. Your input is important!

Here is a link to the survey – http://www.somersetcountyparks.org/home/webforms/survey-all-terrain-wheelchairs

The United Spinal Association’s Advocacy Department has several popular working groups which provide opportunities for members to organize around the issues that matter most to them. Find out more about each group on their website – Advocacy Working Groups – United Spinal Association and complete the form to join any or all groups.