Newb
10-12-2006, 13:58
http://www.wcax.com/Global/story.asp?S=5528139&nav=4QcS
found this about 900ft or so of the AT being made wheelchair accessible. I have no problem with this, I just hope that large portions of the trail aren't "groomed" for easier access. I can see the whole trail becoming a paved path one day.
Blazing New Trails for People in Wheelchairs
Killington, Vermont - October 11, 2006
In the fields of Killington a big project is taking shape.
"Definitely hard work, it's a lot of fun," said Kelly Walsh with the Green Mountain Club.
While the Green Mountain Club is used to making trail repairs this is different.
They're building a boardwalk over a flood plain so people who love the outdoors and are in wheelchairs can enjoy the Appalachian trail.
"We're working on a handicapped accessible portion of the Appalachian trail which will be the only handicapped accessible part of the Appalachian trail in Vermont," said Matt Wels with the Green Mountain Club.
The boardwalk is 936 feet long and built with special material that is made from recycled plastic, it lasts longer then wood and is also less slippery.
"There were sections where we were drilling up to 75 feet deep for each of the piers to support the boardwalk properly," explained Walsh.
Green Mountain Club workers are also widening several hundred feet of trail so wheelchairs can travel the terrain.
"We have to make very shallow grades on all of the trail. There are regulations about how steep the trail can be," said Wels.
The project was not required by the federal government but is part of a new movement to build wheelchair accessible paths so more people can enjoy the outdoors. This area was picked because it is one of a few spots where doing all this work has such a big payoff.
At the end of it all, a view of Thundering Falls.
"I hope we do get a bunch of people out here who have not been able to experience areas like this before, or in a long time and get them outside enjoying this beautiful area," said Kelly Walsh.
A project these workers are proud to be part of.
"It will be very rewarding to know we've provided something like this for people to use," said Matt Wels.
The Thundering falls project is scheduled to be done this coming Spring. It will cost about $300,000 and was paid for by three groups, the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, the National Park Service and The Green Mountain National Forest.
found this about 900ft or so of the AT being made wheelchair accessible. I have no problem with this, I just hope that large portions of the trail aren't "groomed" for easier access. I can see the whole trail becoming a paved path one day.
Blazing New Trails for People in Wheelchairs
Killington, Vermont - October 11, 2006
In the fields of Killington a big project is taking shape.
"Definitely hard work, it's a lot of fun," said Kelly Walsh with the Green Mountain Club.
While the Green Mountain Club is used to making trail repairs this is different.
They're building a boardwalk over a flood plain so people who love the outdoors and are in wheelchairs can enjoy the Appalachian trail.
"We're working on a handicapped accessible portion of the Appalachian trail which will be the only handicapped accessible part of the Appalachian trail in Vermont," said Matt Wels with the Green Mountain Club.
The boardwalk is 936 feet long and built with special material that is made from recycled plastic, it lasts longer then wood and is also less slippery.
"There were sections where we were drilling up to 75 feet deep for each of the piers to support the boardwalk properly," explained Walsh.
Green Mountain Club workers are also widening several hundred feet of trail so wheelchairs can travel the terrain.
"We have to make very shallow grades on all of the trail. There are regulations about how steep the trail can be," said Wels.
The project was not required by the federal government but is part of a new movement to build wheelchair accessible paths so more people can enjoy the outdoors. This area was picked because it is one of a few spots where doing all this work has such a big payoff.
At the end of it all, a view of Thundering Falls.
"I hope we do get a bunch of people out here who have not been able to experience areas like this before, or in a long time and get them outside enjoying this beautiful area," said Kelly Walsh.
A project these workers are proud to be part of.
"It will be very rewarding to know we've provided something like this for people to use," said Matt Wels.
The Thundering falls project is scheduled to be done this coming Spring. It will cost about $300,000 and was paid for by three groups, the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, the National Park Service and The Green Mountain National Forest.