Story Archives - Page 3 of 10 - Nature: Accessible for All

Recap the Access Nature Forum with Flat Rock Brook Nature Center. The nature center is a 150-acre preserve in Englewood, NJ (Bergen County) with 3.6 miles of trails open and free to the public from dawn to dusk daily 365 days a year. Flat Rock Brook is committed to ensuring our preserve and our facilities are as accessible to all as possible, and would like you to join us to meet our team and hear about our projects and plans.

The discussion will include how they are making nature accessible, topics will cover:

Accessible Trails
Nature Playground
Restroom Facilities
Bridge and Pathways
Gazebo and Picnic Areas
Parking

The Best Day Ever documentary follows adaptive mountain bikers Greg Durso and Allie Bianchi as they tackle the daily challenges of disability—and find joy, connection, and belonging in Vermont’s mountain biking community.

This is a story of grit, independence, and what’s possible when community and creativity come together. At its heart is the world’s first fully adaptive trail network—built to prove that everyone belongs outside.

Best Day Ever challenges perceptions of disability and celebrates community.

They’re raising funds to expand adaptive trails and equipment access—because for a wheelchair user, a mountain bike isn’t just fun. It’s freedom.

Check out the video and full story – https://www.bestdayever.mov/?blm_aid=2582740493

It is with great eagerness and excitement that we can now count the Accessible Nature Trail at Pemberton Lake as a well-awaited accomplishment for the fight to make outdoor spaces more accessible for individuals of varying abilities. On Friday, October 10th we unveiled the Pemberton Lake Accessible nature trail. This 0.7-mile trail encourages visitors of all abilities and especially those with mobility concerns to explore the forest and lake habitats that the out-and-back trail traverses.

Check out the full article from the Pine Barrens Tribune – https://www.pinebarrenstribune.com/articles/featured-stories/newly-blazed-trail-gives-those-with-mobility-issues-access-to-natures-realm-alongside-pemberton-lake/

The Passaic County Highlands Rail Trail is a proposed contiguous recreational trail that will provide a pedestrian and bicycle-friendly pathway through the adaptive reuse of the former New York & Greenwood Lake Railway right-of-way in the Highlands communities of northern Passaic County.

The project will offer pedestrians and cyclists an alternative route to access local businesses and recreational areas along the constrained Ringwood Avenue/ Greenwood Lake Turnpike corridor. Additionally, it will make use of interpretative elements to help bring local history alive for residents and visitors alike. The availability of alternative forms of transportation and the preservation of area history are goals of paramount importance to Passaic County.

The final Highlands Rail Trail Feasibility Study outlines the vision for this passive recreational trail that will guide future trail development. The final report was developed during the Spring and Summer of 2017 through a series of public meetings and refinement of trail concepts with planning and engineering staff.

On Oct. 1, Passaic County and NJDOT officials opened the Highlands Rail Trail, a paved 2-mile multi-use path, converted from a stretch of disused New York & Greenwood Lake Railway tracks.

Check out this podcast from 2023. In this episode, Sean explains what he is doing to expand access to natural areas for people of all ability levels and how you can get involved.

Sean is the Access Nature Disability Advocate for Pinelands Alliance. He is focused on preserving, restoring, and interpreting natural and historic resources for current and future generations and ensuring everyone in our diverse collective community has a chance to enjoy the magnificence of New Jersey’s great outdoors.

Podcast Links:

Nature Disability Advocacy With Sean Kane-Holland

Nature Disability Advocacy Wit… – The Pine Barrens Podcast – Apple Podcasts

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.