“The programs allow people with disabilities, their families and their communities to go beyond the sidewalk to explore and enjoy the Smokies,” said Emily Davis, national park public affairs specialist.
For its first year, the national park and its partners organized three hikes and one mountain bike ride for park visitors using adapted equipment. This year's program will include three hikes, two mountain bike rides, a kayak tour and one night of backcountry camping. Releases are scheduled for certain dates in June, July, September and October.
Davis said staff receives daily emails and phone calls from people inquiring about special excursions and adaptive equipment, which the park lends through a separate program. She said the messages came from local residents and out-of-town guests planning to vacation at the popular park. Last year, more than 13 million people visited it, according to National Park Service data.
Eric Gray, founder and CEO of Sports catalysts, one of the program's main partners, said the nonprofit will provide three hiking chairs (plus two from the park), seven adaptive kayaks and a dozen mountain bikes, in addition to snacks and drinks . Experienced staff members and volunteers will assist with adjustment and handling of equipment.
“We’re trying to remove as many barriers as possible,” Gray said. “All they have to do is show up. »
Types of adaptive equipment
Catalyst equipment is accessible to anyone with a physical disability and meets a wide range of special needs. Some kayaks and bikes are designed for two people, which is ideal for visually impaired people.
- The organization uses three-wheeled all-terrain tricycles for people who can move their legs but have poor balance, and hand-held mountain bikes for riders without leg mobility. The bikes are equipped with electric assistance to traverse difficult or steep terrain.
- Hiking chairs have levers (easier to push than dirt-encrusted wheels) and a front wheel for navigating large obstacles.
- The kayaks are equipped with stabilizers to prevent tipping and a custom seat supports people with limited abdominal function. Hand adaptations are suitable for amputees and other people with limited abilities.
Participants can also bring their own equipment. People who do not need special assistance are also invited.
“It's not just about making something accessible. It’s about making it inclusive, so all family and friends can be a part of it,” said Mark Bogosian, director of the Quality of Life Grants Program at Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation. “By offering these types of programs, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is truly ensuring that everyone in the community has the opportunity to participate, enjoy nature and be active. »
National parks are becoming more welcoming to outdoor enthusiasts with mobility issues. In addition to its adaptive excursions, Great Smoky National Park has three adult-sized all-terrain wheelchairs (and one junior chair) available for use on accessible trails. NPS volunteers meet the guest at the trailhead for a safety overview and quick tutorial. The volunteer can accompany hikers or wait at the trailhead. Davis said the park plans to expand its fleet and train more volunteers for the service.
The movement is also flourishing at the national and regional level. Georgia all terrain provides all-terrain wheelchairs to more than a dozen destinations in the Peach State, including Cloudland Canyon, Panola Mountain and Cumberland Island. Tennessee State Parks and the Minnesota Department of National Resources providing pioneering equipment in 13 parks each. A number of other state park departments are also present, including Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan, Oklahoma, and Wyoming.
“I see the domino effect,” said Carly Pearson, ADA coordinator in Knox County, Tennessee. “Other parks are taking over. »
Pearson, a former NPS wildland firefighter who suffered a spinal cord injury in 2002, said she helped the Knoxville nonprofit. Heritage Parks Foundation in creating one of the first adaptive mountain bike trails in East Tennessee. The Independence and Freedom Trail was completed in spring 2020. She said a number of local partners have since collaborated to develop more outdoor sites that can accommodate adaptive equipment.
People with limited mobility said one of the biggest barriers to exploring the outdoors is acquiring or accessing specialized equipment. The equipment can be prohibitively expensive. Pearson said a fully equipped adaptive mountain bike can cost $22,000.
“Do I want to pay for my son’s college education or am I selfishly going to buy recreational equipment?” she says. “I will of course take care of my child.”
Although loan programs help adventurers overcome this obstacle, availability is not always sufficient. Depending on the individual's abilities, the visitor may need assistance getting into equipment and navigating an unfamiliar trail or body of water. This is where the support team comes in.
For the Great Smoky Mountains program, Gray said experts on his team will accompany guests, including an adaptive mountain bike director who lives in Asheville, North Carolina, a hiking director who will supervise a day and backcountry camping, and a Knoxville adaptive kayak specialist. Park rangers will provide the educational portion of the outings, sharing ecological and historical information with the group.
For backcountry camping, Gray said guests will hike about 1½ miles, cook over a fire and sleep in tents. They will get through it – to a point. Instead of digging a hole for a toilet, they will have access to a portable commode.
“We’re going to make it easier for them to get their first backcountry experience,” he said.
Each national park shares information about its accessible trails and adaptive programs on its website and at its visitor centers. For a wider scope, the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation has created a search tool to help people find accessible and adaptable programs, events and resources across the country. The organization also has a team of advisors who can assist with travel planning and other leisure advice. The service is free.
“Information specialists are trained to help people locate areas suitable for adaptation activities,” Bogosian said. “They help them think about the questions they need to ask themselves when planning their trips.”
“Healing and Restorative” Exercise
Matt Lee, a 43-year-old Asheville resident, suffered a spinal cord injury the summer after graduating from high school. He uses a wheelchair, which restricts his outdoor activities. Several years ago, he upgraded to an electrically assisted device with all-terrain tires and a freewheel. His scope of exploration has improved, but he still faces obstacles.
“You can get to a certain point,” he said, “but there may be a creek or creek or uprooted areas or a lot of rocks that are just too difficult to navigate.”
In 2022, he participated in an adaptive mountain bike clinic hosted by Catalyst Sports. He said it was the first time he had ridden his bike so hard and so deep into the wilderness since his accident. He learned about the Great Smoky program during the clinic and signed up for two hikes last year. For the first trek, he borrowed a Jolëtte “passive” all-terrain wheelchair from Spinal Cord Injury Association of North Carolina. He brought his own gear for the second trip on Deep Creek Trail.
“Venturing out and experiencing nature – it’s very healing and restorative,” he said. “Now that I was able to go, I feel better. I'm happier. My general well-being has improved.
This year, he is considering kayaking and off-road travel, an adventure that is long overdue.
“I haven’t really done overnight camping in over 20 years,” he said. “So it would be a new experience for me since my injury.”
