On Wednesday, June 14, Bolton Valley Resort’s Timberline Lodge played host to the inaugural Vermont Trail Accessibility Hub (TAH) Summit, bringing together more than 50 thought leaders and advocates to advance trail accessibility across Vermont. This collaborative event united representatives from more than 30 organizations and agencies, setting the stage for a transformative future in trail-based outdoor recreation.
“The Vermont Trail Accessibility Hub’s 2025 Summit was a huge success,” said Russell Hirschler, executive director of the Upper Valley Trails Alliance. “Working with a group of nearly 60 people to create and promote a shared vision for accessible trail development in Vermont is extremely inspiring. It also shows that there is still a lot of work to be done in the future and the TAH partners are excited to get it done.”
The Trail Accessibility Hub, which originated from a collaborative idea at the 2023 Trail Symposium, has rapidly grown into a pioneering initiative dedicated to improving access to outdoor recreation for everyone, especially for those with physical disabilities and mobility challenges. Led by the Vermont Trails and Greenways Council (VTGC) and supported by partners Vermont Adaptive Ski & Sports, the Northern Forest Canoe Trail (NFCT), Vermont Mountain Bike Association (VMBA), Upper Valley Trails Alliance (UVTA), and Community Geographics, the Hub exemplifies the power of collaboration.
This ground-laying work is made possible by the Vermont Outdoor Recreation Economic Collaborative (VOREC) Community Grant Program.
The Trail Accessibility Hub is tackling accessibility challenges through innovative and collaborative initiatives this year:
- Conducting over 50 trail assessments to identify opportunities for redesigning and building adaptive mountain bike, aquatic, and pedestrian trails.
- Developing resources to guide trail managers in creating accessible outdoor spaces.
- Enhancing the state-supported Trail Finder website to showcase accessible and adaptive trails.
- Providing technical assistance and hosting webinars to build expertise in trail accessibility.
- Engaging directly with people with disabilities to ensure their voices shape trail improvements.
The Summit offered attendees an opportunity to network, participate in breakout sessions, and provide feedback on the Hub’s work. Discussions focused on what resources are needed to increase development and usage of accessible outdoor opportunities in Vermont and how to amplify the Trail Accessibility Hub’s impact and work beyond 2025.
Organizations with leadership in attendance included: United States Forest Service, Vermont Huts Association, Vermont Department of Forest, Parks and Recreation, Kelly Brush Foundation, New England ADA Center, State of Vermont Agency of Human Services/Division of Aging and Independent Living, State of Vermont Developmental Disabilities Division, Vermont Center For Independent Living, U.S. DOT Volpe National Transportation Systems Center, The Nature Conservancy, Vermont River Conservancy, South Hero Land Trust, KSA Built Trail Design and Construction, Timber & Stone, LLC, L&D Trailworks, Sinuosity, Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park, Green Mountain National Forest, Kingdom Trails Association, Richmond Mountain Trails, Stowe Trails Partnership, and Vermont Huts Association, and others.
“Wednesday’s Summit was an incredible way to share our work building the Trail Accessibility Hub with stakeholders who will be vital in its success, from outdoor stewardship organizations and land managers to advocates for those with disabilities, said Nick Bennette, chair of the VTCG and executive director of VMBA. “Beyond the breadth and quality of their guidance, the sheer energy and enthusiasm from attendees was inspiring and will help fuel our work for the months and years ahead.”
For more information about the Trail Accessibility Hub or upcoming initiatives, contact Sharon Plumb at info@vermonttgc.org or vermonttgc.org.
About the Trail Accessibility Hub
The Trail Accessibility Hub (TAH) is a collaborative initiative spearheaded by the Vermont Trails & Greenways Council (VTGC) and supported by partners Vermont Adaptive Ski & Sports, the Northern Forest Canoe Trail (NFCT), the Vermont Mountain Bike Association (VMBA), Upper Valley Trails Alliance (UVTA), and Community Geographics. Launched with support from the Vermont Outdoor Recreation Economic Collaborative (VOREC) Community Grant Program, TAH is dedicated to expanding accessible outdoor recreation in Vermont through assessments, education, resources, and partnerships. Visit vermonttgc.org to learn more.
