| Universal Trail Assessment (UTAP) 2006 UTAP Training In keeping with the goal of increasing the accessibility of New York's outdoor trails for people with physical limitations, Parks &Trails New York held its first Universal Trail Assessment Program Certified Coordinator Training on June 16 and 17, 2006 at Gilbert Lakes State Park in Laurens, NY. The training was conducted by two American Trails-certified UTAP Master Trainers, Patricia Longmuir of PEL Consulting in Ontario, Canada and Carole Fraser, Universal Access Program Coordinator for the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC). The following individuals have successfully completed the training and are now beginning to complete assessments across the state: Edward Ahern - Suffolk Independent Living Organization Karl Beard - National Parks Service, Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance Program Sharon Bryant-Heyboer - MPO Bike-Pedestrian Coordinator, Herkimer - Oneida Counties Transportation Study Terry Barney Conway – Parks &Trails New York Howard Cornwall - Directions in Independent Living Inc. Lauren Dennison - New York State Office of Real Property Services Robin Ferri - Access to Independence of Cortland County
Michael Hellmann - Westchester Residential Opportunities, Westchester Disabled on the Move Wes Lampman - Adirondack Mountain Club Laura Lemire – New York State Department of Transportation Joy Olson - Rural Health Network South Central NY, Triple Cities Hiking Club Frank Pennisi - Southern Tier Independence Center, Inc. Kevin Prickett – Parks & Trails New York Andrew Rawdon - Compeer Inc., Crescent Trail Assoc., Monroe County. Regional Canalway Trail Group, Genesee Waterways Center Lynda Rummel – Finger Lakes Trail Conference, Friends of the Outlet, Yates County ARC Irene Szabo - Finger Lakes Trail Conference, North Country National Scenic Trail In return for receiving their training free of charge, within a year these individuals will assess 3 miles of trails. The resulting information will be added to Parks & Trails New York’s web-based Trail Finder Maps. We congratulate these individuals for their commitment to outdoor accessibility and are extremely pleased with the enthusiasm and dedication they have demonstrated. Parks and Trails New York is currently seeking funding to expand its Accessible Parks & Trails program. It is our goal to provide an additional Trail Assessment Coordinator Training; a Train the Trainer course for Trail Assessment Coordinators, and staff time to assist Coordinators and make trail assessment information available for trails listed on its Trail Finder Maps. Participant Experience and Impact of the Training The UTAP training course has already had many benefits well beyond the trail accessibility information that will be made available on Parks & Trails New York 's Trail Finder Maps. That greater impact is best described in the words of some of the participants: Irene Szabo, Finger Lakes Trail Conference, Mt. Morris , NY: “The State of New York has adopted an inclusive policy requiring that new trails or new segments of existing trail systems on public land be properly assessed before they may be opened for use. While this is a socially admirable policy, it has also created an administrative logjam in the attempt to process assessments with such a relatively small handful of state employees trained in the Universal Trail Assessment Process so far. “Therefore, we welcomed this opportunity for trail advocacy volunteers to be certified as assessors, nearly doubling the state's “UTAP squad.” Now we will be able to open new trail segments to the public literally years sooner. In addition, the training has given us the capacity to offer the public some fairly accessible sections of the Finger Lakes Trail that are suitable for almost any mobility level or sensory capacity. We also plan to create a section on our website on accessibility.” Frank Pennisi, Program Services Coordinator, ADA Consultant, Southern Tier Independence Center, Binghamton , NY: “I have been an avid hiker, camper and nature lover for my entire life. I have been working at an independent living center for people with disabilities for 23 years and have been doing accessibility consultations for almost 27 years. For me, the UTAP training was a dream come true – a chance to bring together two fields of interest that are dear to my heart. “I know many people with disabilities who are willing to risk moderate accessible or even “difficult” trails with planned assistance. The problem has always been determining levels of accessibility. The UTAP process takes away the subjectivity and replaces it with factual, usable data. This training will help tremendously in my work, particularly after the ADA Guidelines for Outdoor Environments are finalized and more parks and recreation areas seek to provide access. I believe the UTAP process is key to providing greater access to the outdoors for people with disabilities and I fervently hope that more people can be trained to utilize the process.” Lynda Rummel, Ph.D., Past President, Friends of the Outlet, Inc., Penn Yan , NY: “A couple of years ago, I found this recorded at our trail head register box: “My wheelchair did it! Whoopee!” This comment made me realize that persons using wheelchairs are already trying to use the trail, but in its current state the trail is often too arduous for most. It is my goal to find ways to make the Outlet Trail more accessible to the ARC members who picnic at the trail head and to all persons with disabilities. By learning UTAP, I can provide objective information about trail conditions for everyone and I am better equipped to shape construction and maintenance decisions towards increasing accessibility.” Karl Beard, National Park Service Rivers and Trails Program, Hyde Park , NY: “I'm still high on that workshop. It was a success on all fronts. Right now, I'm negotiating with the Park to buy the equipment and software, in return for working with them to assess their trails, once certified. Thanks.” Michael Hellman, Westchester Residential Opportunities/Westchester on the Move, Peekskill , NY: “ I have been involved with disability access issues for over 15 years, but cannot recall working with such a committed and community-spirited group. Your strong belief in the benefits of UTAP and your desire to open up trails to all persons enabled two days of intensive learning to be most enjoyable. Thank you for providing me with an invaluable experience and I look forward to our trail work ahead.” |
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Frances Gotcsik - Parks & Trails New York