Author: Cecilia

Cypress Island Preserve

Cypress Island Preserve
“Lake Martin is part of the greater Lake Martin Important Bird Area and is situated within The Nature Conservancy’s Cypress Island Preserve, the largest remaining tract of hardwood forest in the Teche-Vermilion watershed. This preserve protects almost 10,000 acres of wild bottomland hardwood forest habitat and cypress-tupelo swamp. Lake Martin’s nationally significant waterbird rookery serves as a popular spring nesting spot for a variety of herons, egrets, neotropic cormorants, roseate spoonbills, white ibis and anhingas, and some species stay at the lake year-round.”  Description from Water Heritage.   There is a small boardwalk and visitor center at the south end of Lake Martin.
Visitor Center phone 337-342-2475  Here is the Preserve’s website.
Levee Walking Trail.   2.5 miles is open from fall to spring.  It closes during alligator nesting season.
Wheelchair AccessibleThe boardwalk is short but fun, providing a safe and dry close up look at swamp  plants and animals.

ADA wheelchair accessible boardwalk at Cypress Island Preserve, Louisiana
Wheelchair accessible boardwalk at Cypress Island Preserve, Louisiana
Cypress swamp photographed from the ADA wheelchair accessible boardwalk at Cypress Island Preserve, Louisiana
Cypress Swamp from wheelchair accessible boardwalk, Cypress Island Preserve, Louisiana

Frederik Meijer Gardens

Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park
“One of the nation’s most significant sculpture and botanic experiences, Meijer Gardens [Grand Rapids] includes Michigan’s largest tropical conservatory; five indoor theme gardens; outdoor gardens, nature trails and boardwalk; sculpture galleries and permanent sculpture collection; library; café; gift shop; education center; and meeting rooms. Both indoors and outdoors, the 158-acre main campus is barrier free and handicap accessible.”  Thank you to Larisa Draves for letting me know about this.
Here is the Gardens website.  Phone 616-957-1580.   Map
Wheelchair AccessibleAll the paths through the gardens are wide and accessible.  These include the Leslie E. Tassell English Perennial & Bulb Garden, the Gwen Frostic Woodland Shade Garden with its Kettle Pond, and the Richard and Helen DeVos Japanese Garden.

Armand Bayou Nature Center

Armand Bayou Nature Center  
“ABNC is the largest urban wilderness preserve in the U.S. with 2500 acres …. We are home to over 370 species of birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians. There is a “”a boardwalk through the forest and marshes, live animal displays, educational signage, bison and prairie platforms, butterfly gardens and a 1800’s farm site.” There are” more than 5 miles of well maintained trails that provide .25 mile to 1.5 mile loops though ABNC’s stunning forest, prairie, marsh and natural bayou habitats which were once common in the Houston/Galveston area.”
Here is the Center website.  Phone  281-474-2551 or 713-274-2688  Trail Map  Yelp Reviews
HikerwithcaneMartyn Trail 1.3 miles dirt surface

HikerwithcaneKarankawa Trail 1.38 miles dirt surface

HikerwithcaneLady Bird Trail 1.5 miles dirt surface

Short Loop Boardwalk   This may be accessible, but the website  does not say so.  Call the Center to find out and to learn other trail conditions.

Inverness

Inverness 
The Community of Inverness is creating one of the most accessible beaches anywhere.  Read Kayla Hounsel’s  article in CBC.    Visitor Center phone 902-258-3740.  Here is the website for Inverness.
Wheelchair AccessibleInverness  Beach has beach wheelchairs including two that are floatable and can let the rider enjoy being in the water.  There is a boardwalk and a mobi-mat which serves a a ramp down the beach.

Kouchibouguac National Park

Kouchibouguac National Park
Kouchibouguac National Park lies on “New Brunswick’s Acadian Coast where lush mixed-wood forests lead to colorful salt marshes and warm ocean beaches. Offshore, golden sand dunes foster calm seas. At night, this Dark Sky Preserve is a celestial masterpiece…”  Nine of the Park’s 10 trails are described as “easy”.  Call or check with the visitor center to be sure they are easy for you.
Thank you to Josée Owen for letting me know about this park and its trails!
Phone  506-876-2443   Here is their website.
Beaver Trail 1.4 km  “easy, flat terrain”

Bog Trail 1.8 km “easy flat terrain”

Wheelchair AccessibleKelly’s Beach Boardwalk 1.2 km

Mi’gmaq Cedar Trail 0.9 km “easy flat terrain”

Osprey Trail 5.3 km  “easy flat terrain”

Pines Trail 0.9 mile loop  “easy flat terrain”

Tweedie Trail  1.1 km “easy flat terrain”

Salt Marsh Trail 0.9 km “easy flat terrain”

Irving Eco Center

Irving Eco Center: La dune de Bouctouch
The Eco Center was created to “preserve and restore one of the few remaining great sand dunes on the northeastern coastline of North America. Located on the Northumberland Strait of New Brunswick, just minutes north of the town of Bouctouche, the dune offers a blend of recreational opportunities and learning experiences for anyone who wants to enjoy its special beauty.”
Electric vehicle tours are available to accommodate those with disabilities.
Phone 506-743-2600 or 1-888-640-3300   Here is their website.   Thank you to Josée Owen for writing about the nature center.
Wheelchair AccessibleThe Boardwalk 0.5 mile (800 m) with ramps and stairs to the beaches.

Dakota County

Dakota County
Lebanon Hills Regional Park, near Eagen, is almost 2,000 acres, and offers miles of trails and many lakes for year-round outdoor sports, recreation and environmental education.  Thank you to Cathy Jurewicz for writing about the park and its ADA trail and even including a link to the map!  She says it is very  pretty in all seasons.
Phone 651-554-6530.  Here is the Park website.   Map of summer trails
Wheelchair AccessibleMcDonough Lake Loop 0.8 mile  loop trail around McDonough Lake includes a board walk over the edge of the lake.

Aiken State Park

Aiken State Park
Aiken State Park, in southwest Carolina sits on 1.7 miles of the Edisto River, North America’s longest free-flowing, blackwater river.
Here is the Park website.    Trails Map  Brochure  Phone 803-649-2857
Jungle Nature Trail  3 miles “level, easy-to-follow, 3-mile boardwalk and dirt turf loop through tropical-looking wetlands, and mixed pine and hardwood forest.”