The Maine Wildlife Park, off Interstate 95, near Gray has some accessible nature trails and picnic tables, rental wheelchairs and Braille signs which can be requested. “The Park serves as a permanent home for wildlife that cannot be returned to their natural habitats…Unlike a zoo, the park does not feature exotic species from outside [Maine]; or breed wildlife in captivity.” There are many different flower and wildlife gardens throughout the park. Call (207) 657-4977 for more information. Here is the website.
Author: Cecilia
Ferry Beach State Park
Ferry Beach State Park
Ferry Beach State Park is situated between Old Orchard Beach and Camp Ellis in Saco. There are …”1.7 mile network of trails that for the most part are barrier free and pass through varied ecosystems.” The park is about 100 acres and has a picnic area, nature trails and guided nature programs from Memorial day to Oct. 1. Round trip walk to the beach is 2.8 miles. Parking off season can be a problem. Call 207-283-0067 or 207- 624-6080 (off season) for more information. Here is their website.
City of Portland Trails
City of Portland. Portland Trails maintains a use-searchable list of trails in the Portland area. You can screen the trails by “wheelchair accessible” or “stroller friendly”. It lists 13 wheelchair accessible trails. The phone for the nonprofit Portland Urban Trails Land Trust is 207-775-2411.
Baxter Woods Nature Preserve is a 30 acre area that offers “… towering pines, river views and quiet, shaded trails” within Portland. The trail is about 0.75 miles and is suitable for wheelchairs and strollers. Very popular with dog walkers.
Fore River Sanctuary is a 85 acre nature preserve within Portland. It came up in my search for wheelchair accessibility, but the trails are not described on the website. Try calling Portland Trails at 207-775-2411 for information on this and other Portland trails.
The Riverton Rail Trail cuts ” a straight line through rock outcroppings and thick forest … the trail is mostly flat and level until a steep gully interrupts the old rail line near Riverside Industrial Parkway.” “Most of the trail is accessible for wheelchairs and strollers.”
Fishing and Hunting in ME & AK
Here is a list of links to Maine businesses that claim to be handicapped accessible and which offer a wide variety of outdoor activities ranging from camping, guided fishing and hunting, skiing, boat tours and more.
See the Alaska page for Whaler’s Cove
Maine Mixed bicycle and Pedestrian trails
Brief description from MDOT of bicycle and pedestrian trails of mixed governance. Those in the first section of the brochure are described as “wide, off-road, paved or gravel trails that allow walking, road and hybrid bicycling, handicap accessibility, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. Motorized activity, such as the use of ATVs, is prohibited.”
Here is a list of links to Maine businesses that claim to be handicapped accessible and which offer a wide variety of outdoor activities ranging from camping, guided fishing and hunting, skiing, boat tours and more.
Me Parks and Lands brochure
Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands brochure with accessibility of each State Park and Historic Site.
Creamer’s Field Migratory Waterfowl Reserve
Creamer’s Field Migratory Waterfowl Reserve
Creamer’s Field Migratory Waterfowl Reserve is a birding area near Fairbanks with some easy walking trails. It covers 1800 acres of wetland, forest, ponds, and open fields.
There are three nature trails, described as “flat and easy” by visitors. Here are some reviews from Trip Advisor. To avoid disappointment, it would be wise to call to learn the best times to coincide with the birds’ migration and to check trail conditions. Laurie Boeck, Refuge Manager, wrote me that “Creamer’s does have an handicapped accessible loop in a typical year, but this year has been an exception with the persistent flooding events (we flooded again on Monday [9/1/14]). The boreal forest trail is also a relatively easy walking, and while it is not up to ADA standards, it is a flat trail with frequently placed benches for people to rest as they traverse the trail. ” Call 907-459-7307 for more information. Here is the website. Thanks to Ontario artist Terry Best for telling me about it.
Alaska Small Boats
Alaska Small Boat Tours
If your only disability is stamina and you are still capable of climbing ladders and in and out of bunks, I strongly recommend a trip on one of the small cruising boats in Alaskan waters. I spent a week on the M/V Catalyst and had a fabulous time.
Chart of Louisiana State Facilities
Here is a chart of the facilities available at Louisiana State Parks. There are 11 trails marked as “ADA accessible”.
Caddo Parish Parks and Recreation
Caddo Parish Parks and Recreation
Walter B Jacobs Memorial Nature Park near Blanchard, is a 160 acre preserve in the pine-oak-hickory forest. Admission is free. Call (318) 929-2806 for information. Here is their website.
There are five miles of trails, one of which is wheelchair accessible.