I am writing in response to a comment in the March, April,May 2012 issue of Polio Deja View. On page 5 there was an article about the revised Disabilities Act Rules which go into effect this March 2012. I was drawn by the challenge… “Anyone want to explore a park?” Having had polio at 6 months of age 59 years ago, I personally have lived most of my life as a “passer” but post polio started to rear it's ugly head about 20 years ago when I went back into a leg brace and then eight years ago I started using a scooter at work and the store scooters when shopping. All that to say, I can still walk a short, flat trail at a park but I've always got my eyes open for other ways I can enjoy being outside with my family.
Tye River Overlook, James River State Park
My husband and I have always been very strong supporters of the State Park system. When we lived in Missouri we took our kids camping in the state parks there and when we moved to Virginia 28 years ago we continued the practice here. In Virginia we are blessed to have 35 beautiful state parks. So far we have visited 16 of them. There is a state park within 2 hours from anywhere in the state.
Accessible six bedroom lodge at Shenandoah River State Park
After the bond referendum in 2002 , which freed up money to the state for the state parks, new cabins, trails and changes were made at almost every park in Virginia including making most of the facilities handicap accessible. I personally LOVE the new cabins. They are spacious, quiet and comfortable (heated and air conditioned) The handicap accessible ones have big bathrooms with roll in showers and shower seats, full functioning kitchens that will allow a wheel chair to roll right up to the counter, and the sink, and best of all a very affordable way to get back into nature. All you need to bring are your clothes and groceries. Most of the parks have added at least one or two of these handicap accessible new cabins.
Ramp to cabin 2 at Shenandoah River State Park. The Park has one each
accessible two bedroom, three bedroom and six bedroom cabins.
The state parks that have just had cabins built for the first time have even more handicap accessible cabins as well as other accessible facilities like visitor centers, restrooms and even hiking trails and fishing ponds. Claytor Lake State Park, south of Christiansburg, added three lodges and a three bedroom cabin all accessible to their existing cabins. [Lake Anna also has one two bedroom accessible cabin out of their ten built slightly before the others].
Accessible cabin doorway
In the parks I have found ways to keep myself immersed in nature while my family members are on their long treks on the trails. I have my own set of light weight binoculars..so that I can sit quietly on the amazing porch and watch the wild life. I go to the visitor centers and take in all they have available as well as any programs they have to offer. I pack a snack and take my sewing, book, or knitting down to the water… be it the river, lake, or the Chesapeake Bay while I wait for them.
Accessible kitchen
Sometimes I will drive my husband to the head of a trail and then after I have gone exploring the park in our car I drive to the end of the trail where I do my crafts or bird watching while I wait for him. Occasionally I will do some of the flat portion of a trail. At Douthat several weeks ago in February, I was able to walk through the flat, empty camp grounds and get my nature fill while my husband was doing the mountain trails. This could have been done in a scooter or wheel chair as well.
Granted, we prefer to visit the parks when they are not as busy- in the fall and early spring. We have found the rangers and support staff to be amazing and accommodating. Four years ago in the fall, at James River State Park, I really wanted to try kayaking a portion of the James. I had only kayaked in smooth, slow water but this was moving faster. The ranger helped me, brace and all, get in the kayak and at the end of the trip helped me get out. … what a wonderful experience. On that same trip there was an over look that was suppose to be spectacular. The trail up was steep and long (for me). There was a road accompanying the trail but it was blocked off with a gate. We asked the ranger if he would be willing to open the gate so we could drive up the road and then I would not have to walk far to the over look. He did, and then left it open the rest of the day in case we wanted to return. Some times the staff just needs to know what we need or desire. It is all part of the educating process.
Accessible bathroom
Going to a State Park is a great way to renew your self, and your family. I take easy or previously frozen dinners so meals are super easy. Other family members pitch in on the chores so it is a vacation for everyone. We take games, cards and books galore as there is no TV, or Internet access. So yes, please GET OUT AND EXPLORE A State Park!! They are accessible.
Editor's Note: All of the pictures except the Tye River Overlook were taken by Beth's husband. We are working hard to make our older facilities more accessible even when we cannot make them ADA qualified due to historical or cost issues. We are working on a searchable database so users with accessibility issues will be able to find facilities they can enjoy. If you have suggestions, please feel free to let us know. Until the database is complete, each of our park's web pages list accessible facilities and the camping and cabin sections detail accessibility.