As someone who loves nature, I find that I am most at peace when outdoors. And my go-to place to be outdoors is Florida’s award-winning state parks.
Our beaches are among the best in the world, our springs are a refreshing 72 degrees year-round, and our trails and boat tours offer a new experience on every visit.
It may be hard to imagine now, but there was a time when these wonderful outdoor experiences were not available to everyone.
For many years, people who use assistive devices such as wheelchairs or who have limited mobility could not get out on the beach, swim in a spring, or board a river or ocean tour boat. These people were frequently left behind at the dock, on the boardwalk, or at a trailhead while friends and family went along ahead. Not able to walk due to contracting polio as a baby in 1953, I was one of those people left behind and know firsthand how lonely that can be. But I’ve lived to see enormous strides forward in making our society accessible to people with disabilities.
July is Disability Pride Month, a time to celebrate and commemorate the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. It reminds us that disability does not define anyone’s self-worth.
The Florida State Parks Foundation, working hand in hand with the Florida Park Service and some outstanding community partners, continues to make incredible progress.
Accessible river boats are in service at Silver Springs and Wakulla Springs — with ample room for several mobility devices — so that everyone can experience our crystal-clear springs and marvel at alligators, manatees, fish, turtles and other native wildlife.
Beach wheelchairs are available at every coastal state park, and some parks even offer floating wheelchairs that provide access to the ocean.
All-terrain wheelchairs that can traverse mud, rocks, roots and sand open a world of trails and greenways – more than 1,600 total miles across the state.
There is even a park in northwest Florida, William J. “Billy Joe” Rish Recreation Area, specifically designated to provide recreational opportunities for people with disabilities.
And, just this month, the Florida State Parks Foundation announced a new wave of accessible boardwalks, observation platforms and all-terrain chairs that are coming soon to parks across the state. We are always searching for new or improved accessible amenities.
I believe that nature has profound capabilities for healing, and that our natural wonders are often best enjoyed with our friends, family and communities who care about us.
Join me, and the thousands of others who support accessibility in state parks, by donating online to the Florida State Parks Foundation’s Access for All campaign.
Our state parks are recognized as the best in the country and are a source of pride for everyone who loves Florida. This July and beyond, I hope you will visit a nearby state park and create new, lasting memories and connections in outdoor spaces that everyone can experience and enjoy.
Paula Russo has been a member of the Florida State Parks Foundation and has advocated for outdoor accessibility for more than 30 years.
This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Access for all: Florida parks expand access for disabilities
Reporting by Paula Russo, Guest columnist / Florida Today
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Paula Russo, Guest columnist | USA TODAY Network
