Author: Cecilia

Gwinnett County

Gwinnett County
 Gwinnett county has a lot of parks.  Here is a Map and List.
George Pierce Park  Greenway Planner, Marcie Moore, writes, ” The Ivy Creek Greenway at George Pierce Park is a great place to see nature for those who are disabled.  It is flat and has an extensive boardwalk across the wetlands.  I’ve seen beaver, otter, deer, turtles, ducks, herons and so much more out there. ”      They are “…in the design stage of a designated accessible nature trail…” at this park, so check with them to see when it will be done.  Phone 770-978-5270 or 678-277-0910.  Here is the Park website.
Wheelchair AccessibleIvy Creek Greenway 1.25 miles, paved.  Ivy Creek Greenway Map  There are parts of this greenway that are of uneven gravel and would be difficult for a wheelchair.  Ms Moore says, “ The paved section of the greenway is smoother although it can get steep in sections. “
Whispering Woods Braille Trail   I don’t know the length of this trail in Buford, but there are interpretive signs specifically for the blind.  Call 770.904.3500 to learn more.
Gwinnett Environmental and Heritage Center
“The center is used as a multi-use history, culture, heritage, and environment facility. It is located on a 700-acre campus with greenspace and walking trails, as well as a 66,000 square foot educational building.”

ADA Wheelchair accessible boardwalk, Ivy Creek Greenway, Gwinette Co., GA
Wheelchair accessible boardwalk, Ivy Creek Greenway, Gwinnett Co., GA ©Gwinnett County

Homestead National Monument

Homestead National Monument
Homestead preserves 100 acres of restored tallgrass prairie.  Although…”a restored prairie will never exactly repeat the original mix of plant and animal life…the species composition of the tallgrass prairie at Homestead successfully resembles that of presettlement times.”  Cub Creek Woodland is a “…ribbon of lowland bur oak forest along Cub Creek and on the edge of the Great Plains…”  Despite 140 years of cutting, grazing, and lack of fire “…this forest represents the best example of what settlers in Nebraska would have encountered. It is the edge of the world of tree to the east; a last creeping finger of shade.”
Thanks to Tara Burnette of the National Park Service for sending me the link for Accessibility at Homestead.   She writes, “Although, it does not go into great detail about the natural prairie trails there, they exist. A great “nature fix” does exist there in the spring, summer and fall from experience. The staff there is very proactive in including people with disabilities.”  Wheelchairs are available, call ahead.
  Hiking Trails  Here is the Monument’s website.   Phone 402-223-3514  Brochure
Wheelchair Accessible“The hiking trails consist of crushed rock and/or mowed grass, and have moderate inclines in places. There are hard-surfaced sidewalk paths from the Heritage Center to the Palmer-Epard cabin and from the Education Center across the Cub Creek walking bridge.”

Wind Cave National Park

Wind Cave National Park
Below the rolling prairie grasslands and forests of this national park lies Wind Cave “one of the longest and most complex caves in the world. Named for barometric winds at its entrance, this maze of passages is home to boxwork, a unique geologic structure.”  The cave was a sacred place for many American Indian tribes.  The park’s 33,851 acres includes pristine remnant prairie habitat, home to bison, elk, pronghorn, mule deer, coyotes, prairie dogs and the re-introduced black-footed ferret.
Accessibility  Written scripts are available for the hearing impaired and sign-language rangers may be available.  Here is the Park Website.
Wheelchair AccessibleAccessible Cave Tours  Call ahead 605-745-4600 for information and to make arrangements. There are fees charged for these services.
“The visitor center and the cave are accessible to people who are blind or have low vision. However, cave trails are dimly lighted, often narrow, and may be wet and slippery in certain areas. There are numerous stairs along all of the tour routes. Persons with vision impairments should be cautious when entering the cave. Bringing an extra flashlight could assist visitors with vision impairments see steps and ceiling areas better”  Call ahead 605-745-4600 for information and to make arrangements for a Special Cave Tour.  There are fees charged for these services.
Trails   Phone 605-745-4600  Map
These trails are described as easy but have some elevation gain and loss.  Check with the Visitor Center to be sure they are suitable for your needs.
? Wind Cave Canyon   1.8 mile former road through limestone cliffs and forested hillsides.  Most of this trail is flat, but you do go over one small hill.  Map
? Elk Mountain 1.2 miles around the Elk Mountain Campground. Guide     Map
? Rankin Ridge 1 mile nature loop with great views from the top.  Judging from the map, there may be a steep stretch.  Check first.   Map 
? Prairie Vista 1 mile interpretive loop from visitor center.   Map

Pipestone National Monument

Pipestone National Monument
“For countless generations, American Indians have quarried the red pipestone found at this site. These grounds are sacred to many people because the pipestone quarried here is carved into pipes used for prayer. Many believe that the pipe’s smoke carries one’s prayer to the Great Spirit. The traditions of quarrying and pipemaking continue here today.”
Here is the Monument website.     Accessibility  Phone  507-825-5464 x 214  Map
Wheelchair Accessible? The Circle Trail 0.75 mile  paved walking trail through tallgrass prairie and woodlands that “…is not ADA-compliant, it may be wheelchair accessible with some assistance.”

Buffalo National River

Buffalo National River
There are a lot of trails in this 95,000 acre park surrounding the Buffalo river.  Some sound easy and quite a few are accessible.  The Buffalo National River flows freely for 135 miles and is one of the few remaining undammed rivers in the lower 48 states.  The park is divided into three districts, Upper, Tyler Bend (Middle) and Buffalo Point Area (Lower).  The main phone number at Tyler Bend 870-439-2502  Here is the website.   Map  Hiking Trails
BuffaloRiver.org  has links to trail descriptions including difficulty for the upper and middle districts.
Quite a few of these trails sound as if they might be easy, although not suitable for wheelchairs.  Call the visitor centers to learn more.
Brochure of Upper District Trails  Pruitt Visitor Center phone 870-446-5373
Wheelchair AccessibleLost Valley  2.3 miles one way has views of the river from the bluffs.

Wheelchair AccessibleErble-Cedar Grove 4.3 mile one way to a historic cemetery

Wheelchair AccessiblePonds Trail 0.4 mile with a viewing deck on the South Pond.

Wheelchair AccessibleKoen Interpretive Trail  0.4 mile with identified trees.
Link goes to blog called “Exploring Northwest Arkansas” by  btoellner. It contains a description and photographs of this trail.

Brochure of Middle District Trails  Tyler Bend Visitor Center 870-439-2502

Wheelchair AccessibleCollier Homestead  0.6 mile to historic site.

Know more about Buffalo National River?
Have you visited this location and know of more accessible or easy trails?  Is any of the information given here incorrect?  If so, please contact me using the form to the left and let me know what should be changed or added so I can update this post.

Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge

Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge
The refuge was “established as a refuge and breeding ground for migratory birds and other wildlife.  A diversity of habitat types provide excellent feeding, resting, and roosting sites for wintering waterfowl and Sandhill Cranes , as well as nesting sites for neotropical migrant birds and many species of resident wildlife. ”  Here is their website.
Descriptions of the Nature Trails   Map and Brochure   Phone 256-353-7243
Wheelchair AccessibleAtkinson Trail  length? There is a “boardwalk crossing over a cypress swamp, then continuing through a wooded area.”
Wheelchair AccessibleWildlife Observation Trail  200 yards  This trail has been designed for observing butterflies and birds.

Chattahoochee Nature Center

Chattahoochee Nature Center
 Most of Chattahoochee Nature Center in Roswell, is handicap and wheelchair accessible.  “Explore the Chattahoochee River watershed through interactive exhibits, live animal habitats and hands-on fun. ”  There are woodland and wetland trails and gardens such as the Butterfly Garden and Native Gardens. 

 Jon Copsey writes that, “Our wildlife walk, pollinator gardens, aviaries and living wetlands areas are all paved and are easily accessible.  Our wooded trails are less-so. I would not describe them as wheelchair accessible due to roots and slippery surfaces. Our easiest trail, Kingfisher Trail, while on a gentle incline, would still be difficult for a wheelchair. Depending on the mobility of the elderly, it may also be too difficult.”  Check with the Discovery Center before you head out to learn more about which trails might be suitable for you.  Phone 770-992-2055 Here is their website.   Trail Guide  Map     Reviewed on Trip Advisor,   Yelp
Kingfisher Pond Trail  0.25 mile runs along the eastern edge of the pond and connects with the Beaver Pond Trail.
Wheelchair Accessible River Boardwalk Trail  0.50 mile Self-guided nature trail interpreting the habitats along the river.  The boardwalk is accessible, but can get slippery in wet weather.
Homestead Trail  0.25 “easy hike with beautiful view of both the forest and the pond. ”
Beaver Pond Trail  0.25 mile self-guided tour of both pond and forest habitats.
Wheelchair AccessibleGeorgia’s Living Wetlands garden  More than 200 species of native plants found in five different wetland habitats.