All visitors to the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy are now able to experience the beauty of Northern Michigan despite restrictions they would normally have.
The seven paths known as Universal Access Trails were built in partnership with the Northern Michigan Disability Network to guarantee trails that fall under fully accessible trail guidelines.
Grand Traverse Conservancy's executive director Glen Chown said they took the opinions of people with disabilities to help design the trail systems, along with working with ecologists to ensure the protection of the surrounding wildlife.
"People need the tonic of the outdoors, particularly now in these days where we're bombarded with so much technology and social media," Chown said. "Inspirations can come from what we like to call Vitamin N, as in Nature. Why shouldn't that be available to everyone?"
The over three miles of universally accessible trails, boardwalks, and platforms are helping people get back out into nature, some of them for the first time in decades.
Chown told the story of a woman who grew up hiking Arcadia Dunes until multiple sclerosis took that option away from her for 40 years. Once the accessible overlook trail was opened, she was finally able to experience the dunes once again.
"This access to nature and system of trails and preserves the universal access program provides is one of the most impactful things I think we've done in our 33-year history," said Chown.
