Trail Bill MA - Trails4all

S.548 and H.915

An Act Expanding Access To Trails For People Of All Abilities. (a.k.a The Trails For All Bill.)

This is a bill being proposed in the state of Massachusetts by Senator Joanne Comerford, and Representative Michelle Ciccolo. The goal of of the bill is to increase accessibility in the state trail system.

If enacted, the Trails For All bill would do three things:

1. Codify the Trail Access Work Group.

Why is this needed? The work group was a key feature of the 2023/24 Trails For All Bill, although that bill wasn't enacted by state legislators, the Mass Office of Outdoor Recreation launched the work group, which started meeting in 2025. The group is comprised of people living with disabling conditions, trail professionals, and people concerned with the rights, health, and welfare of people with disabilities. The work group is assessing Massachusetts' trail system and will produce a report with recommendations on how accessibility can be improved and expanded. Codifying this group through legislation is needed to guarantee that the entities responsible for building trails at the state level will respond to the work group's report with an action plan.

2. Create a permanent Trail Access Advisory Council.

When the work group ends in 18 months, the council will assist agencies with implementing the work group's recommendations. The council will also serve as a permanent resource for both state agencies and the public, providing education and information about accessible trails.

3. Establish a Massachusetts Trail Access Fund

Future resources can be allocated to this fund to help implement the recommendations made by the work group.

Read this bill in its entirety: Senate version S.548, House version H.915, both versions of the bill are currently the same.

Why This Bill Is Needed:

It will help to make a more equitable trail system, address some of the environmental and social justice issues in outdoor recreation, improve public health, and increase access for people with disabling conditions to public land, which is a civil right.

We have a disproportionate number of inaccessible trails around the state. The current trail system doesn't reflect our population and its needs. This bill would help to create a more equitable approach to the trail system. Learn more about Massachusetts' trail system and population.

Information about accessible trails is hard to find or nonexistent. A comprehensive study of the trail system would begin to address the need for more information. Part of the Work Group's suggestions could be to create a centralized source of information about accessible trails.

Trail funding doesn't reflect our population, and isn't addressing the decades of inequities and exclusion that took place in outdoor recreation.

How To Support This Bill:

As An Individual

Contact your State Senator and Representative and ask them to support S.548 (Senate) H.915 (House). Find contact information for your legislators here.
Write an opinion piece or letter for your local newspaper.
Post about this bill on social media.
Sign our petition.
Sign Up for our emails to stay informed.

As An Organization:

Contact Legislators, and the Joint Committee On Environment and Natural Resources, to let them know your organization supports this bill.
Let your membership know about this bill. Direct them to more information, and ask them to contact their legislators.
Post about this bill on social media.
Write an opinion piece in your local paper
Sign our support letter
Contact us about to be listed as a supporting organization.