EcoRover wheelchair makes Florida parks more accessible
As a caregiver to someone who regularly uses a wheelchair (including our last Disney cruise), I know hiking trails, grassy meadows, and sandy beaches are not known for wheelchair-friendliness; however, parks and recreation areas in Florida are introducing EcoRover tracked wheelchairs at three locations increasing outdoor accessibility.
In March, EcoRover tracked wheelchairs were introduced in Seminole State Forest for mobility-impaired users. Now, Blue Spring State Park and DeLeon Springs State Park, which attract nearly one million visitors annually, will now also offer EcoRover tracked chairs for use on their trails.
EcoRover Tracked Wheelchairs utilize continuous treads (like a Caterpillar bulldozer) instead of rubber tires. The EcoRover chairs are ADA-compliant, and easy to maneuver using armrest-mounted controls. For those unable to use hand controls, a wired controller can be attached to the EcoRover, allowing another person to guide the chair along the trail. The EcoRover chair is also battery-powered (no fossil fuels) and built to handle all types of rough or uneven terrain.
George Koutsakis, director of the non-profit organization Friends of Seminole State Forest, collaborated with EcoRover Chairs to bring the tracked wheelchairs to the state forest, and raised money through their annual “Run for the Woods” to acquire more chairs for the site.
“Florida offers its residents and visitors some of the best outdoor weather and some of the most beautiful trail systems in the nation,” Koutsakis said. “We are extremely fortunate to have 38 state forests and190 state parks in Florida and the possibility of being able to expand this program to mobility-impaired Floridians and visitors is very exciting.”
In the park, chair users need to be accompanied by a friend or family member to assist with the trip, including transferring in and out of the chair. Park volunteers act as guides along the trail and accompany each chair user and their guests. There is no charge to use the tracked wheelchairs, but park entrance and parking fees remain. Support for the program is entirely through donations and volunteers.
Congratulations to EcoRover for making more of the outdoors accessible in Florida. I can’t wait to try this with my family.
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