This week, Tennessee State Parks announced the introduction of new all-terrain wheelchairs at 10 state parks, enhancing accessibility for visitors and bringing the total number of parks with these wheelchairs to 22. The initiative is a result of a collaboration between the parks, Sunrise Medical, and the Tennessee Department of Disability and Aging.
The new all-terrain wheelchairs are now available at the following state parks:
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– Cedars of Lebanon State Park
– Cordell Hull Birthplace State Park
– David Crockett State Park
– Fall Creek Falls State Park
– Fort Pillow State Historic Park
– Harrison Bay State Park
– Indian Mountain State Park
– Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park
– Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park
– Sgt. Alvin C. York State Park
Greer Tidwell, deputy commissioner for Conservation at the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, commented, “This is an important step for our parks, and we are eager to provide this service. We are grateful for the work of Sunrise Medical and our partnership with the Tennessee Department of Disability and Aging. Tennessee State Parks are forever and for everyone.”
Larry Jackson, president of Sunrise Medical North America, added, “At Sunrise Medical, we understand that the world is not flat, and with our Magic Mobility power chairs, we believe that everyone, regardless of ability, should have the opportunity to explore Tennessee’s incredible state parks. We hope other states will follow Tennessee’s example and provide more opportunities for individuals with disabilities to explore the great outdoors.”
Brad Turner, commissioner of the Department of Disability and Aging, remarked, “All-terrain wheelchairs give people with disabilities and older adults opportunities to see the natural beauty within Tennessee State Parks that would otherwise be out of reach. I want to thank Tennessee State Parks and Sunrise Medical for their partnership and unwavering commitment to making our parks accessible to all Tennesseans.”
Other state parks that already have all-terrain wheelchairs include:
– Booker T. Washington State Park
– Cove Lake State Park
– Cumberland Mountain State Park
– Cummins Falls State Park
– Chickasaw State Park
– Henry Horton State Park
– Long Hunter State Park
– Natchez Trace State Park
– Radnor Lake State Park
– Tims Ford State Park
– Lamar Alexander Rocky Fork State Park
– Warriors’ Path State Park
All-terrain wheelchairs are designed to navigate a variety of terrains, enabling visitors with limited mobility to enjoy outdoor recreation that might otherwise be inaccessible. These chairs are available for free for both children and adults and can be operated independently or with caretaker control.
Visitors are advised to give advance notice of the need for a wheelchair, as they may be reserved by other guests. TDEC is working to expand access to all-terrain wheelchairs in parks across the state. More information about accessibility at Tennessee State Parks can be found here.
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