Access 2030 initiative aims to make Tennessee’s state parks most accessible in nation
Most of us take for granted the ability to enjoy Tennessee’s state parks to the fullest. But for the hundreds of thousands of Tennesseans with visual, hearing, mobility or other disabilities, park visits can be more challenging. That’s why Access 2030 is such an exciting initiative. The goal is to make Tennessee’s state parks the most accessible of any in the nation to those with disabilities by the year 2030. It’s a big undertaking, but efforts are well underway.
Striking statistics
According to Census Bureau data, about 15% of Tennessee’s population, over 1 million people, have reported having at least one disability. Mobility was the top reported kind of disability at 7.9%. Whether these disabilities existed from birth or are a result of injury, illness or aging, that’s a significant portion of the population who should be able to enjoy Tennessee’s wonderful state parks to the best of their abilities. Helping them do so is the worthy goal of Access 2030.
In fiscal year 2024 (July 1, 2023-June 30, 2024), more than 7.2 million people, a significant number of those being Tennessee residents, visited the various state parks that now number 61. As the parks become more accessible to those with limitations, visitation numbers could very well increase. Being out in nature can boost health by reducing stress and anxiety, improving mood, increasing Vitamin D (essential for bone health and mental wellness), helping lower blood pressure and providing many other health benefits that come from physical activity. All of those positive outcomes can also benefit those who might already be facing physical, mental, cognitive or emotional challenges. Plus, there’s the positive feeling of being included.
What’s changing?
According to the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, of which Tennessee State Parks is a part, the major program areas within Access 2030 include:
Physical Accessibility — removing physical barriers to support more meaningful park experiences for all visitors.
Programming and Education — providing safe, quality interpretive, educational and recreational experiences for all park visitors.
Interpretive Media — better connecting people to our natural resources through interpretive technologies so more people can become park stewards.
Meaningful Employment Opportunities — supporting people with disabilities to have meaningful employment in the parks and recreation industry.
To further these goals, here are just some of the additions already in use or coming soon to state parks:
ATV wheelchairs. These special wheelchairs allow visitors with mobility issues to enjoy trails and scenic overlooks that were previously inaccessible to them. They are designed to be operated either by the user or by a caregiver.
Adult changing tables. These allow for those with special needs to enjoy the parks while providing their caregivers the ability to take care of them in a dignified environment.
Accessible play areas. Children with disabilities just want to play like those who don’t have those disabilities, and these specialized playgrounds provide that opportunity.
Colorblind viewfinders. These view-finders help those with red-green color blindness see the beauty that parks have to offer more clearly and accurately. Currently, 12 parks have these in place for visitors to use. It’s often a very emotional experience for those with color blindness when they use devices that allow them to see colors they’ve never seen before, as shown in this video about the viewfinders: youtube.com/watch?v=zi7R66sgvfU.
Accessible canoe and kayak launches. These allow visitors access to a day on the many beautiful park lakes and other waterways.
Braille installations. While blind and limited-sight visitors might not be able to see the physical beauty that exists in state parks, they can enjoy the sounds, the scents and the textures of nature. Braille installations such as the Lions Narnia Braille Trail at Warriors’ Path State Park in King-sport, which tells the story of Aslan in “The Chronicles of Narnia,” adds to their experience.
Paved, wheelchair-friendly trails. These allow guests with traditional, non-ATV wheelchairs to travel among trees, flowers, wildlife and other scenery along these trails.
Wheelchair-accessible picnic areas.
Wheelchair-accessible cabins and campgrounds.
Those with disabilities being employed at various state parks.
Putting it into practice
Warriors’ Path State Park is one of the parks that is continually adding new aspects of accessibility to better serve visitors, and these changes have been well-received by the public.
“Darrell’s Dream, a Boundless Playground, is a unique 3-acre play area designed to provide fun and learning opportunities for children of all ages and abilities,” says Park Manager Chris Cole. “It was created through a partnership among community volunteers, corporate sponsors and the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation.”
The playground, set in a beautiful lakeside setting, includes:
- Universally accessible equipment and surfaces.
- A walking trail designed for individuals who are blind or visually impaired.
- A fully accessible treehouse.
- Sand play area.
- Environmental maze with interactive play stations.
- Amphitheater and picnic pavilion.
- Specially designed restrooms and a pedestrian bridge.
Cole says the playground is one of the park’s most popular attractions.
“Nearly any time of day or week, you’ll find it full of children and families enjoying the space. It’s also a frequent destination for local school groups.”
The previously mentioned Lions Narnia Braille Trail was also a joint effort, according to Cole.
“The theme was chosen because the Lions Club approached the Friends of Warriors’ Path about the project,” he says. “The story aligned well with the Lions Club’s name and mission, and they were excellent partners in both planning and funding the Braille Trail.”
The park’s accessible fishing pier and kayak launch, installed in July, replaced an aging wooden pier. It includes a new ramp from the parking lot and serves both as a fishing area and a kayak launch.
“It’s been extremely popular with visitors,” Cole says.
Know before you go
It’s important to note that accessible overnight accommodations for the ATV wheelchairs are limited in number, so it’s a good idea to reserve them in advance. When reserving a room or cabin, be sure to specifically request an accessible one if you need it. If you have not reserved an ATV wheelchair when you visit a park and it’s not already been claimed, you can use it without a reservation. In that case, it’s on a first-come, first-served basis.
The number and type of accessibility upgrades could change from one park visit to the next as park administrators, staff and volunteers strive toward that Access 2030 goal. For instance, Warriors’ Path is planning to turn the park’s old pool area into a new playscape, which is a thoughtfully designed space that encourages imaginative, physical and social play.
“Unlike traditional playgrounds, playscapes often include natural elements, creative structures and interactive features,” Cole says. “This new playscape will be fully accessible for children and adults alike.”
Other plans include constructing a new accessible covered shelter and restrooms where the old pool building now stands as well as an accessible sidewalk that would connect the Moody Bluff Campground to the main area of the park.
“We’re always looking for new ways to improve accessibility for all our visitors at Warriors’ Path,” Cole says.
There is a dedicated webpage with links to the accessible aspects of each state park. You can see what’s available at the parks you’d like to visit and check back for new updates as more accessibility is added across the system. You’ll find information on many offerings — from the aviary and nature center at Reelfoot Lake State Park in West Tennessee to the wheelchair-friendly Otter Creek Road Trail at Radnor Lake State Park in Middle Tennessee to the colorblind view-finder at Roan Mountain State Park’s Chestnut Ridge Overlook in East Tennessee.
Visit tnstateparks.com/accessibility/park-features to view this information.
If you would like to donate to help fund future efforts to make Tennessee’s state parks more accessible to all, you can do so through the Tennessee State Parks Conservancy, a fundraising partner of Tennessee State Parks, at tnstateparksconservancy.org.
Photograph by Robin Conover
