Lexington is making the Raven Run Nature Sanctuary more accessible to people with disabilities.
Its system of trails will be outfitted with new, all-terrain wheelchairs. They’ll make its unpaved trails able to be traversed for people with mobility challenges.
Those trackchairs will also be used for the city’s therapeutic recreation program for those with disabilities or special needs.
City mayor Linda Gorton rolled out the program at a ribbon cutting event Wednesday.
“This new program, the first of its kind in Kentucky, will allow more people to connect with nature,” she said. “This is a council funded initiative, and it is certainly appreciated.”
People using the chairs will be accompanied by a guide, and a trail map to show which trails are accessible.
Monica Conrad is the Director of Lexington Parks and Recreation. She says it expands what the department can offer.
“All of our park visitors will now have access to programming along our trails, including the many things that happen here at Raven Run, including owl prowls, bird walks and other nature programming. Accessibility is paramount to everything we do,” Conrad said.
The trackchairs are available through reservation on the city’s website. Those hikes are available Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. or from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Lexington Parks & Recreation is a sponsor of WEKU.
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