Universal Access Program

Summer 2008 Outdoor Recreation Programs

Weekly Programs

Many 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.

Sailing

Charles River, Boston

Offered every day (New!)   June 16 – August 31

Weekdays: 3 – 5PM, Weekends: 10AM – 2PM

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.

Kayaking

Walden Pond State Reservation, Concord

Mondays: June 30 – Aug 4, 10AM – 3PM

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.

D.A.R. State Forest, Goshen

Mondays: July 7 – 28, 10AM – 3PM

Join Stavros (Venture Into Well-Being) for weekly flat-water kayaking. Explore Highland Lake in search of blueberries. Enjoy fun group games of water tag and more. Learn new kayaking techniques! Lifeguard on duty. Call 413-259-0009 to register.

D.A.R. State Forest, Goshen

Wednesdays: July 2 – August 20, 10AM – 4PM

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.

Douglas State Forest, Douglas

Thursdays: June 26 – August 21, 10AM – 3PM

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.

Hopkinton State Park, Hopkinton

Thursdays: June 26 – August 21 (skipping July 3), 10AM –  4PM

Join Outdoor Recreation of Hopkinton and explore a gentle lake with support as needed and lifeguard.

Pre-register by calling ORH at 508-435-3965.

Spot Pond, Middlesex Fells, Stoneham

Fridays: June 27 - August 22 (excluding July 4), 10AM-4PM

Join Outdoor Recreation of Hopkinton for flat-water kayaking on Spot Pond.

Learn new skills and explore this scenic urban gem.  Call 508-435-3965 to register.

Cycling

Norwottuck Rail Trail, Hadley

Fridays: June 6 – September 26, 12 - 5PM

Come explore the wide variety of adaptive bikes for adults and kids including handcycles, trikes, tandems and recumbent bikes. Ride occasionally or weekly. Pre-registration required, Call All Out Adventures at 413-527-8980. Free.

Canoeing

Elwell State Recreation Area, Northampton

Tuesdays: July 1 – August 19, 10AM – 4PM

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.

Rowing

Elwell State Recreation Area, Northampton

Thursdays: June 12 – September 25, variable hours

Learn to row or scull or continue your practice with Stephanie Moore of Holyoke Rows. Specialized rowing shells, adaptive support and lifeguard. Enjoy exercising on the river and/or train for competition at the Bayada Regatta in Philadelphia on August 23 or the new All Inclusive Regatta in Holyoke on September 20. Free, but pre-registration required. Call 413-586-8612.

Letterboxing and Geocaching – New This Summer

Join All Out Adventures for a day or more of “treasure hunting!” Carry a small notepad and a rubber stamp and search for letterboxes by following clues. Leave your mark at letterboxes and discover many hand-carved stamps to log in your book. We’ll also teach how to use GPS units to find geocaches – hidden containers with swappable items inside. Learn more about these two intriguing pastimes that are drawing more people into the parks. 11AM – 3PM

You can also letterbox on your own at state parks. The Universal Access Program maintains a letterbox trail called “Making Tracks” that moves from park to park on a schedule and features animal and human tracks found in parks. DCR is also introducing a Passport Program this summer in which over 70 parks statewide will have stamp images to collect, representing each park.

Call 413-545-5758 for more information on these options.

Accessible Hiking Program  

Go take a hike! With Venture Into Well-Being and Stavros, that is! Explore accessible trails and rugged paths with a focus on fun and meeting new people. Assistive equipment and teamwork 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.

Hikes begin at 11AM.

Evening Kayaking on Barton’s Cove

Enjoy a leisurely evening paddle in the presence of eagles. $5 per person. Call All Out Adventures at 413-527-8980 to register. Previous paddling experience preferred.

Connecticut River Paddling Day Trips

Join Holyoke Rows for kayaking day adventures on the river.

Previous paddling experience required.

Berkshire Bike and Boat Day

Saturday, July 12   10AM – 4PM

At Farnum’s Crossing Town Park in Cheshire, try out a variety of adaptive bikes on the Ashuwillticook Rail Trail and 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.

Horseback Riding

August 29 and September 5, 10AM – 2PM

Join Windrush Farm for horseback riding at Bradley Palmer State Park in Topsfield Friday, August 29 and Friday, September 5. 10AM – 2PM on both days. Free. To receive waivers, register and reserve a spot, call 617-626-1294.

Fishing

Fish with the best! Universal Access works with Mass Fish and Wildlife’s Angler Education Program to offer accessible fishing. Adaptive and conventional fishing equipment used at wheelchair accessible sites. Call Jim Lagacy at 508-389-6329 for more information.  Check other MassWildlife’s Angler Education Programs on line at http://www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/dfweduc.htm#AEP.

Adaptive Bike Rentals

Bike 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 (in New Hampshire) at 603-862-0070, www.nepassage.org or Child and Family Services Disability Program (in Springfield) at 413-788-9695.

Norwottuck Rail Trail

Trailside Bicycles 8 Railroad Street, Hadley 413-582-0733    

Adult Handcycle, Child Handcycle, Wheelchair Tandem 

Tuesday – Sunday  10AM – 5PM     

$20 for up to 4 hrs, $35 for up to 8 hrs

Cape Cod Rail Trail

Bike and Blade,Underpass Road, Brewster    508-896-8200 

2 Adult Handcycles, Youth Handcycle  

7 days a week $25 per day

Fall Birding

Join a small group of beginning and experienced birders with and without

disabilities in search of birds in the Connecticut River Valley. Assistive devices, including binoculars, provided as needed. Saturdays 10AM – 12PM. Limit 10 people. Call 413-545-5758 to register.

Adaptive Recreation Fair

Artesani Park, Boston, MA

September 27   10AM – 3PM

Come out for an early fall fun-filled day in the park and sample a variety of adaptive recreation equipment including cycles and all-terrain wheelchairs. Find letterboxes and geocaches. Find out more about local and statewide adaptive recreation opportunities coming up. Enjoy the camaraderie while learning about DCR’s inclusive, accessible programs and resources available to people of all abilities around the state. This free event is open to the public. Refreshments provided. Let us know you plan to come by calling Gigi Ranno at 617-626-1294.