JEFFERSON CITY – The Missouri Parks Association is committed to making Missouri’s state parks and historic sites accessible to all. As part of that commitment, the association donated three Action Trackchairs for visitors with mobility challenges.
Trackchairs are electric all-terrain wheelchairs that allow guests with limited mobility to partake in outdoor activities, such as exploring trails and visiting parts of Missouri’s state parks or historic sites that are not suitable for regular wheelchairs. These sturdier, more rugged chairs use tank-like tracks instead of wheels, allowing guests to traverse designated trails in our parks.
Thanks to the Missouri Parks Association’s generous donation, the three additional trackchairs bring Missouri State Parks’ fleet to six units located throughout the state. Currently, trackchairs can be found at Bryant Creek State Park in Ava, Bennett Spring State Park in Lebanon, Battle of Lexington State Historic Site in Lexington, Gen. John J. Pershing Boyhood Home State Historic Site in Laclede, Elephant Rocks State Park in Belleview and Castlewood State Park in Ballwin.
“The Missouri Parks Association is committed to ensuring that everyone can experience the beauty of our state parks and historic sites,” said Kendra Varns Wallis, executive director for Missouri Parks Association. “Thanks to a generous endowment from Ben and Bettie Breeding, we are honored to donate these Action Trackchairs to help make our parks more accessible to all.”
Using a trackchair is free, but reservations are required and must be made at least two days in advance. A friend or family member 18 years or old must also accompany the user as park representatives are not available to help with the transfer to and from the chair.
For more information on state parks and historic sites, visit mostateparks.com. Missouri State Parks is a division of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.