Making outdoor recreation accessible for all

Spring has arrived, and many of us are excited to participate in outdoor activities, like visiting parks and hiking on Minnesota’s extensive trail system. However, only about 30% of Minneapolis Park properties meet basic federal accessibility standards for disabled people, and the degree of accessibility varies from park to park across the state.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) “Accessible Outdoors” effort is actively addressing these challenges with initiatives such as providing trail chairs and renovating parks. Still, more solutions are needed to improve accessibility for everyone. You can help these efforts by doing the following:

• Advocate for accessible infrastructure, such as ramps, wider paths, benches, accessible restrooms, picnic areas with level ground, and clear signage that includes sensory information.
• Participate in inclusive activities, like adaptive gardening or guided hikes.
• Practice thoughtful inclusion by asking individuals with disabilities what they need for a comfortable experience.
• Consider volunteering with local adaptive sports or outdoor recreation groups, such as St. Paul’s Adaptive Recreation or Northland Adaptive Recreation.