~by Brian Blair
A 15-year-old Ric Edwards figured his days of exploring in the woods of McCormick’s Creek State Park were over after he was paralyzed in an auto accident in 1970.
“Back then, after you were paralyzed, people didn’t expect you to do much more than sit on the porch and weave baskets,” Edwards said.
Today, the Indiana Department of Natural Resources’ director of ADA compliance is making sure that anyone can weave their way through sometimes challenging trails, beaches, you name it, at the state parks.
The Indianapolis-based Lilly Endowment Inc. recently provided a $1 million grant for the DNR to purchase 48 state-of-the-art all-terrain motorized track chairs to be used for free at every state park. The initiative is part of a $50 million grant awarded by the Lilly Endowment in 2024 to support upgrades and accessibility throughout the Indiana state park system, according to the department.
Organizers say this development makes Indiana a national leader in park accessibility, supplementing 13 previously available powered mobility chairs.
Brown County State Park has two such electric-powered track chairs capable of running for about seven to eight hours on a single charge. Charging the lithium battery takes two hours.
The tracks that the chairs use to move are like those of tanks, and can tackle nearly any surface, including rugged ground and snow, except stairs. “We’re trying to make the parks accessible to anyone,” Edwards said.
He said that also includes older people with slower or less certain movement and many others with a range of ailments.
Currently in this unveiling stage to the public, Edwards mentioned that safety is paramount.
“I’ve had a few nightmares [about safety and dangers],” he said.
That is why those using the new chairs will be required to watch a brief training video and will be guided by park officials away from areas near sinkholes, drop-offs and the like.
Last month, Brown County State Park Property Manager Scott Crossley and his staff were carefully maneuvering the chairs over their terrain and mapping which areas would be safe for the public to traverse. “The more learning the better,” Crossley said. Crossley is especially excited that the chairs, operated with a joystick, also feature companion controls on the back of the vehicle. That will allow him to help his disabled son operate a chair. “That will be a huge thing for him,” Crossley said. The chairs also include adaptive attachments to assist visitors with activities like fishing and hunting, according to Crossley.
Plus, they feature a decent maximum speed, as Crossley sees it.
“They’ll go faster than most people can jog,” Crossley said. “And they’re also extremely comfortable.”
After the initial public announcement about the chairs, Crossley’s staff fielded about a dozen calls in the first two weeks. One reaction came from a family with a disabled daughter.
“They were so excited,” Crossley said. “And she was so happy that she was crying.”
People can sign up to use the chairs by calling the state park they plan to visit. He figures there could be a waiting list for the chairs, especially with spring and summer’s busiest time unfolding.
“These are going to be game changers for a lot of people,” Edwards said.
He tested one at a state park, taking it for a slightly rugged ride on uneven terrain. It never came close to turning on its side, which was among his initial concerns.
“I took it into some areas that I don’t think other people would,” Edwards said.
“We will definitely have some safety guidelines,” Crossley said. “But, with that said, we also hope the chairs will offer people a little sense of adventure.”
Both Crossley and Edwards believe the chairs, with a cost of $20,000 each and made by a company called Action Track, will grow in popularity.
“They’re very cushy,” Crossley said. “And they’re very easy to operate.”
Users 16 and younger must be accompanied by an adult.
Alan Morrison, director of the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, spoke of the chairs providing a sense of equal opportunity in the outdoors.
“Whether it’s traversing a trail, viewing wildlife, enjoying the beach, fishing, hunting, or other outdoor pursuits, our DNR properties are open and welcome to Hoosiers of all interests and abilities,” Morrison said in a news release when the chairs were unveiled.