Universal Access Program Office, DCR Central Region Headquarters, PO Box 484 Amherst, MA 01004 413-545-5353 413-577-2200 TTY In this issue • Notes from the Director • Summer Recreation Programs • Berkshire Bike and Boat Day Bikes for Big People Joining the fleet of adaptive bicycle used in the cycling program on DCR’s Norwottuck Rail Trail in Hadley, are several new bikes designed to accommodate heavier cyclists. Two-wheeled individual bikes, a two-wheeled tandem bike, a three-wheel tandem bike and an adult trike are now available. The two-wheeled bikes may be rented at Trailside Bicycles (see page 5). Some of these bikes can support up to 500 pounds. To try them out at the cycling program, call All Out Adventures at 413-527-8980. Notes from the Director, Tom McCarthy DCR’s Universal Access Program (UAP) is honored to be the beneficiary of Macy's, Turn over a New Leaf, program this year. This program, which heightens awareness of environmental issues and the benefits of park protection and preservation, raised funds to benefit the UAP as well as the National Park Foundation. This fundraising effort raised more than $28,000 for the Universal Access Program. The programming and accessibility enhancements that these funds support will make a real difference in creating outdoor recreation opportunities for people of all abilities. All of us at DCR extend a heartfelt thanks to Macy's for their efforts to improve the lives of others and protect our natural resources. Another round of thanks goes to all of those who volunteered this past year in helping the Universal Access Program serve thousands of people with disabilities along with their friends and families. The scores of individuals who committed their time and energy helped to make a tremendous difference in the quality of recreation programming offered in our Massachusetts parks. We will be expanding our volunteer opportunities in the coming year. If you have an interest in working with the Universal Access Program as a volunteer, please contact Tom at 413-545-5353. Be sure to check out DCR’s new Healthy Heart Trails program. Many of these trails and walking paths are accessible and provide a great opportunity to get out and enjoy the parks while getting some exercise as well. Visit mass.gov/dcr to find where you can discover a Healthy Heart Trail near you or contact the Universal Access Program. And, here’s another opportunity to support accessible trails and recreation in Massachusetts. On June 20th between 10AM and 12Noon there will be a celebration of accessibility at Stanley Park in Westfield with a walk along their beautiful new accessible pathway. More information can be found at www.stanleypark.org. As always, I look forward to seeing you in the parks. 413-545-5353 voice or 413-577-2200 TTY. Summer 2009 Outdoor Recreation Programs General Information Some programs are free and open to the public. Most programs require pre-registration. Paddling and hiking programs have fees, with limited scholarships available. A parent or legal guardian must accompany children. Sighted guides and other reasonable accommodations are usually available upon advance request. All program participants must complete a liability waiver. Mandatory Pre-registration Seats are limited – to guarantee a spot, call phone numbers listed in advance! Please note: All Out Adventures maintains a low-enrollment cancellation policy: if there are less than 3 people registered to a program, the program will be cancelled. This affects all paddling and cycling programs, so please pre-register early! Weekly Programs Adaptive equipment, instruction and assistance provided. $5 per person for kayak and canoe programs. June 15 - August 30 (except July 4) Weekdays: 3 – 5PM, Weekends: 10AM – 2PM Sailing Charles River, Boston Learn to sail and enjoy the city scenery from the river. Modified sailboats, adaptive support, lifeguard on duty and support launch. Program costs $1, pre-registration required. Call Community Boating at 617-523-1038 x 23. Mondays: July 6 – 27 Kayaking 10AM – 3PM D.A.R .State Forest, Goshen Join Stavros Outdoor Access for weekly flat-water kayaking. Explore Highland Lake in search of blueberries. Lifeguard on duty. Call 413-259-0009 to register. Mondays: July 13 – Aug 17 Kayaking 9:45AM – 3:15PM Walden Pond State Reservation, Concord Experience flat-water kayaking, with adaptations and support as needed, in a safe environment with a lifeguard. Call All Out Adventures at 413-527-8980 to register. Tuesdays: July 7 – August 18 Canoeing 9:45AM – 4:15PM Elwell State Recreation Area, Northampton Join All Out Adventures for weekly canoeing on the Connecticut River. Explore a shallow channel on a lazy day or challenge yourself to paddle around Elwell Island! Call 413-527-8980 to register. Wednesdays: July 1 – August 19 Kayaking 9:45AM – 4:15PM D.A.R. State Forest, Goshen Kayak on beautiful Highland Lake with All Out Adventures and a lifeguard. Picnic and take a walk on the accessible forest trail along the lake shore to complete your day. Go for a swim on the lifeguarded swimming beach. Call 413-527-8980 to register. Thursdays: July 9 – August 20 Kayaking 9:45AM – 3:15PM Douglas State Forest, Douglas Join All Out Adventures at this popular flat-water kayak program and see if you can paddle to Rhode Island! Lifeguard on duty. Call 413-527-8980 to register. Fridays: June 12 – September 25 (not offered on July 3 and 24) Cycling 12Noon – 5PM Norwottuck Rail Trail, Hadley Come explore the wide variety of adaptive cycles for adults and kids including handcycles, trikes, tandems, recumbent bikes and new this year: bikes for big people! Ride occasionally or weekly. Pre-registration required, Call All Out Adventures at 413-527-8980. $3 per program or use an AOA seasonal pass. Thursdays: July 2 - August 20 Kayaking 10AM – 4PM Hopkinton State Park, Hopkinton Join Outdoor Recreation of Hopkinton to explore a gentle lake with support as needed and lifeguard. Pre-register by calling ORH at 508-435-3965. Thursdays: June 11 – October 22 Rowing (hours vary) Elwell State Recreation Area, Northampton Learn to row, scull or continue to practice with Stephanie Moore of Holyoke Rows. Specialized rowing shells, adaptive support and lifeguard. Enjoy exercising on the river and/or train for competition. Free, but pre-registration required. Call 413-320-3134. Accessible Hiking Program Take a hike with Stavros Outdoor Access! Explore accessible trails and rugged paths with a focus on fun and meeting new people. Assistive equipment and team-work unite people of all abilities using Terra Trek mountain wheelchairs, push joggers and lots of stops to rest. Bring a lunch and enjoy activities, such as scavenger hunts, nature talks and letterboxing. Collect DCR passport stamps at each park! Sighted guides available. Limited transportation – call 413-259-0009 to inquire. $2 per person, $4 for families, $10 for groups To register call 413-259-0009. Explore the parks! Join the hiking program that travels around the state! Date Day Location Town Theme July 7 Tues Robinson State Park Agawam Scavenger Hunt July 16 Thu Natural Bridge North Adams Evening Sensory Exploration July 24 Fri Dunn State Park Gardner ADA Event July 29 Wed Spectacle Island Boston Island Tour August 12 Wed Middlesex Fells Stoneham Nature Activity August 26 Wed Wompatuck State Park Hingham Letterboxing September 3 Thu Wendell State Forest Wendell Hurricane Damage September 16 Wed Skinner State Park Amherst Hawk Migration October 2 Fri Halibut Point State Park Rockport Ocean & Quarry October 8 Thu D.A.R. State Forest Goshen Letterboxing October 14 Wed Webb State Park Weymouth Water Creatures October 17 Sat Maudslay State Park Newburyport Halloween Event Fishing Universal Access works with Mass Fisheries and Wildlife’s Angler Education Program to offer accessible fishing. Adaptive and conventional fishing equipment can be used at wheelchair accessible sites around Massachusetts. Call Jim Lagacy at 508-389-6309 for more information. Check MassWildlife’s Angler Education Programs on line at http://www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/dfweduc.htm#AEP Date Day Section July 18 Saturday Bartons Cove to French King Bridge and Back (11miles – 5.5 one way) August 22 Saturday Montague – Sunderland (11 miles) September 26 Saturday Sunderland to Elwell (13.5 miles) Evening Kayaking on Barton’s Cove Enjoy a leisurely evening paddle in the company of eagles. $5 per person. Call All Out Adventures at 413-527-8980 to register. Previous paddling experience recommended. Monday, August 24, 6 – 8PM Connecticut River Paddling Day Trips Join Holyoke Rows for kayaking day adventures on the river. Previous paddling experience required. Call 413-320-3134 Berkshire Bike and Boat Day Saturday, August 8 10AM – 4PM At Farnum’s Crossing Town Park in Cheshire, try out a variety of adaptive cycles on the Ashuwillticook Rail Trail, then kayak on scenic reservoirs. Bring your lunch and enjoy this free day in one of the most beautiful spots in the whole state. For further information and to pre-register, call All Out Adventures at 413-527-8980. Adaptive Bike Rentals Cycle on your own at the locations below within the DCR park system. To rent bikes for private use elsewhere, the following organizations offer adaptive equipment rentals: Northeast Passage,New Hampshire at 603-862-0070, www.nepassage.org or Child and Family Services Disability Program, Springfield at 413-788-9695. Norwottuck Rail Trail Trailside Bicycles, 8 Railroad Street, Hadley 413-582-0733 Call to reserve, 7 days a week, 10AM – 5PM $20 for up to 4 hrs, $35 for up to 8 hrs Adult Handcycle, Child Handcycle, Wheelchair Tandem, Two-wheel bike and tandem for big people Cape Cod Rail Trail Bike and Blade, Underpass Road, Brewster 508-896-8200 7 days a week $25 per day 2 Adult Handcycles, Youth Handcycle Letterboxing A Do-it-yourself Activity If you enjoy treasure hunts, consider letterboxing! It is a wonderful family quest activity in which clues are followed to locate hidden boxes containing rubber stamps. Imprinting the stamps in your personal logbook proves you were there and serves as a souvenir of the experience. Five parks in the Connecticut River Valley area have Universal Access Program letterboxes, hidden as accessibly as possible and several are at Universal Access Program sites! Find all 20 letterboxes and receive a prize! On your travels you can also collect DCR Passport Stamps in over 70 parks statewide. Call 413-545-5758 for more information and clues. Horseback Riding One day only! Join Windrush Farm for horseback riding at Bradley Palmer State Park in Topsfield on Friday, August 28, 10AM – 2PM. Free. To receive required waivers, register and reserve a spot, call 617-626-1294.