Rhode Island\u00a0has a number of trails with minimal obstacles. \u00a0Some are very easy and others are wheelchair accessible. \u00a0Here are just a few of them.
\nThese\u00a0links were found through Internet search. \u00a0I would love to have some first-hand recommendations. \u00a0With your help, we can share our knowledge with disabled people everywhere and also increase awareness of the need for more accessibility. Please e-mail me with your suggestions using the form in the sidebar.<\/p>\n

<\/a>Federal<\/a>
\nState<\/a>
\nLocal<\/a>
\nPrivate<\/a>
\nMiscellaneous<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/a>Federal<\/h2>\n

• Ninigret National Wildlife Refuge\u00a0<\/strong>
  \nThe Ninigret National Wildlfe Refuge is managed as part of the Rhode Island National Wildlife refuge which is made up of five refuges and includes Sandy Point Island.
  \n<\/strong>Here is their website<\/a>.\u00a0 Phone: 401-364-9124 \u00a0<\/strong>Trail Map<\/a>
  \nNorthern Section \u00a0\u00a0 Kettle Pond & \u00a0Northern Section Trail Map<\/a> \u00a0\u00a0Kettle Pond Visitor Center Brochure<\/a> \u00a0All of these trails are described by Rhode Island Families in Nature<\/a> as “very easy for children.”
  \nWatchaug Pond Trail 0.5 mile “listen for the calls of the many migrating, resting and nesting songbirds.”
  \nToupoysett Pond Trail 0.25 mile “good views of a vernal pool, an important ecological feature and place of quiet beauty in all seasons.”
  \nOcean \u00a0View Trail 0.5 mile “marked by ridges and depressions shaped by the great ice sheet. ….\u00a0At the end of the trail, visitors are treated to a view of Ninigret Pond, the barrier beaches, and Block Island.”
  \nSouthern Section
  \nGrassy Point Trail is 1.3 miles and described by Rhode Island Families in Nature<\/a> as having “spectacular views of Ninigret Pond, the largest coastal salt pond in the state.”<\/p>\n

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• Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge
  \n<\/strong>Visitor activities at Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge include fishing, wildlife viewing, interpretation, environmental education and photography.\u00a0
  \n<\/strong>Map<\/a>\u00a0 Trail Map<\/a>\u00a0 Here is their website<\/a>.\u00a0 Phone; 401-364-9124 Headquarters or 401-847-5511 Visitor Center.
  \nBe sure to call ahead to ascertain if the trails are suitable for your abilities.
  \n?<\/strong> \u00a0Flint Point trail is 1.2 miles in “terrain mild and barrier free”
  \n?<\/strong> \u00a0Ocean View Loop is 1.5 miles in “Mild terrain”
  \nVisitors on Yelp and Trip Advisor<\/a> describe the trails as “flat and easy walking” \u00a0and having a “stone dust trail wide enough to walk side by side”. “trails can get muddy when it rains”<\/p>\n

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  <\/a>State<\/h2>\n

  • Rhode Island State Parks and Recreation<\/strong>
    \nThese Rhode Island State Parks have handicapped-assisted surf chairs for visitor use: Roger Wheeler<\/a>,\u00a0 East Matunuck<\/a>, \u00a0Salty Brine<\/a>, \u00a0Lincoln Woods<\/a>, \u00a0Goddard Memorial<\/a>, and \u00a0Scarborough<\/a>.\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Colt<\/a> and East Bay Bike Path<\/a> have recreational hand-cycles.\u00a0 See Accessibility<\/a>\u00a0 \u00a0for more information.\u00a0 There are hiking trails in Rhode Island State Parks, but information about them is scanty.\u00a0 Let me know if you have a favorite.
    \nHere is the website for Rhode Island State Parks & Recreation<\/a>\u00a0 \u00a0Phone 401-667.6200<\/p>\n

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  • Arcadia Management Area<\/a><\/strong>
    \nArcadia Management Area is the state\u2019s largest recreational area at 14,000 acres.\u00a0 The Wood River flows through the heart of the Management Area.
    \n<\/strong>Phone: 401-539-3094\u00a0 Here is the Area website<\/a>.\u00a0\u00a0
    \n<\/strong>Upper Roaring Brook Trail 0.5 mile “has a wooden walkway great for both strollers and wheelchairs along a pond and through wetlands.” Map<\/a>\u00a0 Described on American Trails<\/a>\u00a0“The walkway runs between a pond and a hardwood swamp, allowing users to view different types of ecosystems.”<\/p>\n

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    <\/a>Local<\/h2>\n

    Back to top<\/a><\/p>\n

    <\/a>Private<\/h2>\n

    • Dundery Brook Trail – Little Compton
      \n<\/strong>The Nature Conservancy’s Dundery Brook Trail crosses forested wetlands, swamps, old fields and wet meadows which “support a changing variety of creatures throughout the year.”\u00a0\u00a0
      \n<\/strong>Map<\/a>\u00a0 Here is their website.<\/a>\u00a0 \u00a0401-331-7110\u00a0 Descriptions:\u00a0 Rhode Island Families in Nature <\/a>\u00a0 \u00a0Rhode Island Blueways <\/a>\u00a0
      \n\u00a0 “<\/strong>Dundery Brook trail crosses from the Town\u2019s Veteran\u2019s Field property into the Conservancy\u2019s 118-acre Bumblebee Preserve, across nearly 3,000 feet of boardwalk structure, which then connects with a grassy trail over an old cartpath of an additional 3,000 feet.\u00a0 A hike in and out easily exceeds two miles.”<\/p>\n

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    • Claire D. McIntosh Wildlife Refuge\u00a0 — Audubon Environmental Education Center at Bristol \u00a0\u00a0<\/strong>
      \nHere is the refuge website<\/a>.\u00a0 \u00a0This is the Nature Center and Aquarium website<\/a>\u00a0 \u00a0. Phone: 401-245-7500 \u00a0Map<\/a>
      \nThank you to Lawrence J.F. Taft of the Audubon Society of Rhode Island for suggesting this location.
      \n<\/strong>“Situated on the 28-acre McIntosh Wildlife Refuge, the Environmental Education Center has walking trails with a \u00bc mile boardwalk that winds through fresh and saltwater marshes to a majestic view of Narragansett Bay. The refuge is along the East Bay Bike Path allowing bikers and walkers access to the refuge’s natural beauty…..The Center is fully handicapped accessible, including the trails and boardwalk.”<\/p>\n

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    • Norman BirdSanctuary
      \n<\/strong>Norman Bird Sanctuary is a wildlife sanctuary and environmental education center with more than 325 acres of diverse habitats and 7 miles of hiking trails.
      \n<\/strong>Phone: 401-846-2577\u00a0 Here is their website<\/a>.
      \n\u00a0Universal Trail. \u00a0Thank you to Natasha Harrison for the photographs and this information: “…we ..\u00a0just completed our Universal Trail which goes all the way down to our pond (about \u00a0.25 miles) where we have a viewing platform.\u00a0 We have been working hard to be as accessible as possible so that more people \u00a0can enjoy nature.”<\/span><\/p>\n

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