We Have A Bill! Support S.548 (Mass. Senate) and H.915 (Mass. House) "An Act Expanding Acccess To Trails For People Of All Abilities. Learn more about the bill here.
The state of the State Trail System
In Massachusetts less than .5% of unpaved woodland trails are accessible. Our State Parks have approximately four-thousand of miles of unpaved recreation trails, but only about 7.5 miles are categorized as universally accessible. The limited amount of accessible trails in our parks doesn't begin to meet the needs of the population.
Data comes from Mass Trails For All, The Census, CDC, and The Massachusetts Commission On The Status of People With Disabilities
Universally accessible recreation trails provide safer, easier access to nature for older adults, people with various disabling and mobility limiting conditions, as well as small children who may need strollers or are just learning to walk.
The figures above don't include people who are recovering from injury or illness, or that have chronic pain or joint problems that limit their mobility but aren't considered disabling. All together, that's a lot of people.
Where accessible trails do exist, most of them are short, close to parking lots or entrances, and sometimes don't allow adequate access to the features most people visit the property to experience. People with mobility concerns are seeking the same type of meaningful nature experiences that are available to those without mobility limitations. Marginalization, inequity, underrepresentation, and ableism have stood in the way for far to long. As a state, we can and should do better. Our parks and conservation areas are beautiful natural resources that everyone in Massachusetts should be able to enjoy.
Here are 3 Ways You Can Help Advocate For Change In Massachusetts:
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.