I recently visited William J. “Billy Joe” Rish Recreation Area on a beautiful late spring morning.
The park, located along a pristine beachfront on Cape San Blas, is a shining example of what makes Florida’s state parks the best in the nation: a full mile of white-sand beach, canoe and kayak access on the nearby St. Joseph Bay, and serene nature trails — all amid a stunning natural habitat that is home to precious native wildlife.
But that’s just part of what makes Rish Recreation Area special. Acquired by the Florida Park Service in 2021, Rish Recreation Area is a completely accessible destination giving full access to recreational opportunities for people with disabilities. There are even two fully accessible family-style cabins for overnight stays, and new accessible experiences are already in the works.
As an individual who loves our state parks and uses a mobility scooter, I can share firsthand how the accessible amenities at Rish Recreation Area and other state parks across Florida make a real difference.
Areas of lowered railings along beachside boardwalks allow people who use mobility devices to enjoy sunsets over the ocean. Accessible tour boats at Silver Springs and Edward Ball Wakulla Springs state parks ensure that no one is left behind at the dock. And new accessible playgrounds, at Wakulla Springs and Anastasia state parks, provide opportunities for all children to be included in outdoor fun and activities.
These and dozens of other accessible experiences are a big part of why our state parks are considered the very best in the nation.
July is Disability Pride Month, and July 26 marks 35 years of the Americans with Disabilities Act. To celebrate, I encourage everyone, regardless of their mobility level, to visit one of our award-winning state parks this month.
Our parks offer a Real Florida experience for everyone, and these experiences are more accessible and inclusive than ever.
Love our world-class beaches? There are beach accessible wheelchairs at every single state park along the Florida coast, as well as accessible matting and water wheelchairs at some of our most visited beach parks.
Want to hit the trail but are concerned about the rugged terrain? We have all-terrain wheelchairs, able to navigate sand, mud, tree roots and changes in elevation, available at eight popular parks.
Feel like casting a line? Check out the accessible fishing pier at Oscar Scherer State Park near Sarasota, where lowered railings allow anglers to fish Lake Osprey while remaining seated.
Almost every Florida State Park has accessible features. Call your local state park for specific information or visit the park’s website for a list of accessible amenities.
Through my work with the nonprofit Florida State Parks Foundation, I have seen our state make incredible strides to increase accessibility in state parks over the past 30 years. Florida sets the national standard for outdoor accessibility and should be commended for that.
So, too, should the thousands of donors and community partners who contribute to make these projects possible. These people are our friends, neighbors and fellow outdoor enthusiasts. Sometimes contributions come from large, statewide or regional organizations. But just as often they are from small businesses or individuals looking to make a positive impact in their communities.
You can join them and support accessibility in Florida’s state parks by donating at the Florida State Parks Foundation website. (Leave a note designating your gift for the “Access for All” campaign.)
Our state parks create meaningful connections between people and the incredible natural wonders that make Florida special. I hope you will visit your favorite state park — or somewhere new! — this month and join us in celebrating an outdoor experience that everyone can enjoy.
Paula Russo is the grants and programs administrator for the Florida State Parks Foundation.
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This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: July is Disability Pride Month, so visit our beautiful, accessible state parks | Opinion
Reporting by Paula Russo / Palm Beach Post
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