Hello!
Are you tired of the winter and ready to go outdoors to enjoy the sunshine and have some fun? WELL, ARE YOU?
Do you want to sail, canoe, row, hike, horseback ride, cycle and/or enjoy the outdoors while you learn new things with your family and friends? WELL, DO YOU?
Massachessetts' Universal Access Program here to the rescue. We will supply the place, adaptive equipment and folks to help you enjoy your experience in a fun and safe way, SO WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?
Open up the .pdf attachment, or read below, and see what we have to offer, and call us to tell us what you assistance you may need, what activity, date, etc. that you would like to do and chances are good we can make it happen.
We are waiting for your call and looking forward to seeing you this summer!
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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.
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.
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