Mayor Linda Gorto, City of Lexington | City of Lexington website
Mayor Linda Gorto, City of Lexington | City of Lexington website
Lexington Parks & Recreation is set to launch a pilot program for an Action Trackchair, aimed at improving accessibility to unpaved trails in natural area parks. The initiative, which will begin in Spring 2025 at Raven Run Nature Sanctuary, marks the first of its kind in Kentucky.
"Accessibility is one of our top priorities for our city and our park system," stated Mayor Linda Gorton. She emphasized the ongoing efforts to make facilities and greenspaces more accessible, acknowledging the challenge posed by unpaved nature trails. "Launching this program allows more people to be able to experience nature and its many benefits."
The program will use the STS model from Action Trackchair, a company that specializes in all-terrain wheelchairs. Funding for the project was provided by the Urban County Council, in collaboration with Lexington Parks & Recreation.
9th District Councilmember Whitney Elliott Baxter expressed strong support for the initiative: "From the moment I discovered all-terrain, electric powered activity chairs were available to aid those with limited mobility in exploring and experiencing our city parks — on trails that were previously impossible for them to navigate — I was convinced this was an amenity Lexington residents should have." Baxter added that it offers users greater freedom and independence while enjoying more of what the parks offer.
Initially, the trackchair will be available for reservation at Raven Run Nature Sanctuary, granting access to five miles of unpaved trails. Visitors can participate in programs such as owl prowls and bird walks that occur along these paths.
The Action Trackchair will also benefit the city's Therapeutic Recreation program within Parks & Recreation, which caters to individuals with disabilities and special needs. This addition aims to expand access to parkland and nature education.
Monica Conrad, Director of Lexington Parks & Recreation, highlighted their commitment: "Accessibility is paramount to everything we do." She mentioned various existing accessible features like paved ADA trails and playgrounds with accessible amenities. Conrad expressed enthusiasm about expanding offerings through this new trackchair program.
During the pilot phase, a guide will accompany users of the trackchair to provide assistance. A dedicated trail map will also be developed for users' convenience.
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