Accessible Parks and Trails Program



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Accessible Parks & Trails Program

There are more than 1200 miles of multi-use trails throughout New York State yet there is no database of New York State trails that provides any information on trail characteristics of interest to persons with disabilities. Many of New York’s trails are accessible but are rarely used by persons with disabilities because of a lack of information that would assure them of their suitability for use. Without knowing whether a trail will be able to accommodate their needs, persons with disabilities are reluctant to use New York’s trails and thus cannot enjoy the health, recreational, and alternative transportation benefits that they can provide. Other trails could become accessible if only trail managers knew what improvements were needed.

The goal of Parks & Trails New York’s Accessible Parks & Trails Program is to increase the accessibility of New York’s outdoor trails for people with physical limitations. A first step in that effort depends upon obtaining standardized, objective information about trail conditions as can be obtained through the Universal Trail Assessment Process (UTAP). UTAP was developed through a national cooperative effort, involving federal and state land agencies and organizations advocating for persons with disabilities. UTAP provides standardized, objective information on major trail conditions that affect access -- grade, cross slope, surface type, obstacles, and trail width --- so that everyone can decide for themselves whether a trail meets their interests and abilities. Parks & Trails New York’s goal is to ultimately make this information available on trailhead signage, websites, maps or trail guides for trails throughout New York.

With no individuals trained in UTAP in New York outside of twelve state agency personnel, Parks & Trails New York decided to build a group of persons who were formally trained in UTAP who would then be able to work with volunteers to generate accessibility-related trail condition information for New York’s trails. The resulting information could be added to Parks & Trails New York’s Trail Finder Maps and be used by trail managers to create on-site accessibility signage as well as discover areas where trail improvements could be made to increase accessibility or address unsafe conditions.

 

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