Underwood Mobility Friendly Trail

Here at North County Land Trust (NCLT), we believe when it comes to having limited mobility, it's the abilities that count.  This is why NCLT is working to do everything we can to open up our natural spaces to those who may have mobility challenges.  At our Underwood Conservation Area in Hubbardston, MA,  NCLT is partnering with North Quabbin Trails Association (NQTA) to introduce a Mobility Friendly trail. While this trail will not be ADA compliant, it is designed to accommodate rugged wheelchairs (such as the GRIT Freedom Chair), those with braces/canes, families with small children, seniors, and anyone else who needs wider, level trails with frequent resting stops. The trail aims to enhance access to this serene wooded property, while maintaining a natural feel with an improved, natural surface.  Our Mobility Friendly trail will follow fairly level terrain and will be improved enough to create a safe walking path. Three benches will sit along this 1/3 mile trail. 

NCLT’s mobility friendly trail project cannot move forward without your support!  We need to raise $2,500 by May 1st in order to make this project happen.  We are currently raising funds to help support the initial building of this trail- this includes helping us pay for a specialized trail building team and their tools, helping cover staff time, and funding our future stewardship of this trail. Our vision doesn’t stop with the building of this trail in the Spring- we look forward to seeking the community’s input on how they would like to see the trail made more accessible.  We're exploring guide ropes and tactile indicators for folks who are vision impaired, increased signage and guided walks through the area, audio tours, and much more. Any money raised beyond the initial goal will contribute to North County Land Trust’s mission to make our natural spaces more accessible to everyone in our community. Please help us continue this journey and donate to our campaign! And thank you to our members for their continued support. Don't want to give online? You can also give by  mailing a check to North County Land Trust, 325 Lindell Ave, Leominster, MA 01453 with "Mobility Friendly Trail" on the memo line. 

Our partner in this project, NQTA, is a veteran-led regional trail association, who, as one part of its mission, seeks to expand trail access for wounded veterans. NQTA has been working with GRIT Freedom Chair: a Massachusetts-based company who designs specialized, non-motorized wheelchairs for outdoor adventures.

The GRIT Freedom Chair, originally designed for people with disabilities in globally remote locations, allows people of varying mobility issues to go beyond the pavement, often under their own power.  For many, including wounded veterans, this can be life transforming.  Our Mobility Friendly trail at Underwood Conservation Area will be compatible with this type of chair which is now available as a benefit through the Veterans Administration for qualified veterans.  You can learn more about the GRIT chair at goGRIT.us. 

For more information see the following links:

North County Land Trust 
Underwood Conservation Area 
NQTA 
GRIT Freedom Chair