RADAR
Fun for All
Truly accessible hiking means everyone can connect with nature.
By Dick Snyder
In slow motion, a man navigates a woodland trail in his wheelchair. | BACKGROUND VIDEO: MRSYSTEM/iSTOCK
HIKING CAN BE ONE OF the most accessible outdoor activities. You don’t need a lot of fancy equipment and you can choose your level of difficulty. But accessibility means different things to different people, and for folks who use a mobility aid, going for a hike might seem out of reach.
Fortunately, many parks in the province feature accessible and barrier-free campsites with cement pads or firm gravel designed for use with mobility devices, thanks to the efforts of Saskatchewan Provincial Parks (SaskParks).
“SaskParks continues to invest in features that enhance accessibility,” says Alana Ross, Minister of Parks, Culture and Sport. Provincial parks are continually being upgraded to meet accessibility standards in the building code, and new facilities are also being built. Many parks have accessible beach mats and beach wheelchairs, as well as camping and picnic sites that are fully accessible. Katepwa Beach added an accessible dock last year in partnership with SaskParks; the Saskatchewan Trails Association (STA), or SaskTrails; and the Trans Canada Trail.
“SaskParks continues to invest in features that enhance accessibility.”
More accessible trails are available in Saskatchewan:
- Wascana Valley Natural Recreation Site features the Wildflower Trail, a wide, hard-packed trail with a low grade to improve accessibility for all users.
- Condie Nature Refuge, just north of downtown Regina, has a nature pathway with a fully accessible loop.
- Douglas Provincial Park features the two-kilometre Sunset Trail, which is part of the Great Trail. It is laid with crusher dust, making it wheelchair-accessible.
- Pike Lake Provincial Park includes an accessible trail along the waterfront that leads to accessible picnic sites and a pool.
Many national parks across Canada have accessible trails, walkways and campsites — check out parks.canada.ca.
Technology is also making it easier for wheelchair users to find accessible outdoor experiences. The AccessNow app — developed in Canada by a disability rights activist and entrepreneur — provides information and recommendations on accessible facilities and activities in every Canadian province and around the world. CAA
Accessible hiking promotes inclusivity and allows people with mobility challenges to experience the physical and mental health benefits of nature. | PHOTO: MRSYSTEM/iSTOCK