MANITOWOC COUNTY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — The push is on to make it easier for those with a disability to enjoy the outdoors.
Officials at Point Beach State Forest in Manitowoc County have purchased an all-terrain wheelchair for use at the property there.
Inspired by a wintertime walk event that included an all-terrain wheelchair, Point Beach State Forest leaders say people could see a chair at the park, year-round.
“At some point in our lives, everyone will go through some kind of limitation. And as we get older, those challenges increase, especially in the outdoors. Things that we take for granted, or don’t even think about, are a lot of barriers for people who have physical limitations,” said Quinn Henseler, Point Beach State Forest Park Ranger.
Quinn Henseler says the chair will be able to take to the 17 miles of hiking trails, and even the long stretch of sandy beach along Lake Michigan.
“The purpose of it would be to give people independence and mobility that they didn’t have before,” she said.
So what do people think?
Mike Truyman was on that First Day Hike back in January. He says the tracked chair allowed him to explore the woods with his family by his side, making memories along the way.
“I think it’s a really good idea,” said Wayne Brock, West Bend.
Wayne Brock and his family are camping at Point Beach for the first time. He says he’s recovering from a car crash 10 years ago. He often uses a cane to get around, and he says a tracked chair could be nice.
“That’ll help people with with the handicaps, that they can get out, explore the outdoors, instead of being stuck inside all the time. So they can get out on the trails with it, and experience stuff,” he said.
Park officials say there will be no charge to use the tracked chair. It’s expected to arrive in a couple weeks.
“They will be training staff, and doing demos with us. So that we are experienced with training people who want to use the chair,” said Henseler.
Park officials say the price for a tracked wheelchair can start at about 15-thousand dollars.
A partnership between The Friends of Point Beach State Forest, and the David and Joyce Weizenicker Endowment Fund is helping cover the cost.
