Help Bring More Unpaved Universally Accessible Trails To Massachusetts!
We Have A Bill! Support S.548 (Mass. Senate) and H.915 (Mass. House) "An Act Expanding Access To Trails For People Of All Abilities.
Contact your MA state legislators: Use our form to quickly send a letter asking them to support the Trails For All bill (S.548/H.915).
Learn more about the bill here- https://www.unpavedtrailsforall.org/trail-bill-ma.
Unpaved Trails For All started our advocacy in Northampton, Massachusetts simply trying to get the city to create an unpaved, universally accessible, all persons trail. Through those efforts we soon realized that the lack of accessible nature trails was a statewide problem. Our State Parks, have approxomately 4,000 miles of unpaved trails but only about 7.5 miles that are universally accessible. Seven and a half miles is not enough! We can and should do better. Municipalities also need more education and support when it comes to creating all persons trails in cities and towns. Having accessible trails at the local level can help to ensure that accessible nature spaces are never too far away. All residents of Massachusetts deserve access to nature!
Take Action- Using this link you can quickly and automaticaly send a letter of support for the bill to your state lawmakers! https://p2a.co/br5bod9
Get Email Updates- to stay informed about our progress and learn about opportunities to advocate for this issue. https://mailchi.mp/a1f4219756f1/get-updates
View of Mt. Tom North Accessible Trails in Easthampton, MA.
What Are U.A. Trails?
Universally accessible or "All Persons Trails" are multigenerational all-ability spaces that provide access to nature for everyone. They typically have a gentle grade and surfaces that allow for easier use of mobility devices. For folks with limited mobility, low vision, or blindness these trails are also easier to navigate because they have fewer barriers and inclusive wayfinding signage.
Why Do We Need Unpaved Trails?
Nature has proven health benefits for stress relief, chronic illness and stress-related illnesses, and unpaved trails provide greater health benefits when compared to paved trails. In Mass. there is a severe lack of all persons recreation trails. The lack of equitable access to our public nature space for those with limited mobility is an environmental justice, and public health issue that needs correcting!
Learn more about the health benefits of unpaved spaces and why we need them.
Who Do These Trails Help?
Lots of people! According to data from the Census, CDC, and Massachusetts Commission On The Status Of Persons With Disabilities 36- 49% of the state's population could benefit from the safer, easier, access to nature that all persons trails provide.
Examples of those folks who can benefit are:
- People with limited mobility/balance issues
- People with disabling conditions
- Older Adults
- People with blindness or low vision
- Families and caregivers with young children or strollers
- People with sensory sensitivities
This 36-49% estimate does not include people who are:
- Living with muscle or joint pain, that can be limiting, but isn't considered disabling
- Recovering from injury or illness
That adds up to a significant amount of people, but the bottom line is that Accessible Trails can be used by everyone.
Learn more about who is helped by unpaved accessible trails
3 Ways You Can Help:
1. Join Us: People = Power, help us advocate! Learn More Here
2. Get Emails: Stay Informed About Progress. Sign up for email updates here.
3. Contact Your State Legislators: Use our form to quickly and easily send a letter asking your representatives to support the Trails For All bill.
