Who We Are
Trail Organizations Dedicated to Increasing Outdoor Access for All
What started as a simple idea for a webinar at the Trail Symposium 2023 quickly grew into something much larger. In just eight weeks, a discussion among several trail organizations evolved into the Trail Accessibility Hub—a comprehensive initiative focused on detailed assessments, enhancing Trail Finder, and equipping trail managers with vital resources to improve outdoor access. Supported by the Vermont Outdoor Recreation Economic Collaborative Community Grant Program, this project exemplifies our commitment to creating more inclusive and accessible trails for everyone.
Spearheaded by the Vermont Trails & Greenways Council (VTGC), this project is supported by the Upper Valley Trails Alliance (UVTA), Community Geographics, Vermont Adaptive Ski & Sports, the Northern Forest Canoe Trail (NFCT), and the Vermont Mountain Bike Association (VMBA). Each partner contributes its unique expertise and resources, ensuring that the Hub addresses diverse needs across the state.
Trail Accessibility Hub Guiding Principles
Recognizing Diversity in Barriers
We understand that there are many ways to increase access to the outdoors, including reducing barriers related to race, costs of equipment, transportation to trailheads, getting started, feeling like an outsider, language, geography, and the availability of trails.
Focusing on Our Expertise
While we acknowledge the exciting work happening at national and regional levels, such as trails for neurodiversity and accessibility for the blind and hearing impaired, we have chosen to focus on our strengths. We excel at bringing people together, programming (like Vermont Adaptive), trail building, advocating for trail managers, and managing trails.
Creating Collaborative Opportunities
We work across agencies and organizations to create opportunities for learning, networking, and celebrating success. Through our newsletters, events, and learning opportunities, we strive to bring people together and foster a sense of community.
Committed to Lifelong Learning
We are dedicated to continuous learning. We are always learning how to work together as a team, collaborate across organizations and agencies, understand what needs to be done, and determine how to do it effectively.
Dedication to Increasing Access
We believe in increasing outdoor access for all and are committed to dedicating time and resources to this important work. Our mission is to continually seek ways to improve and expand our efforts to make the outdoors accessible for everyone.
Why Now
Equity and accessibility have always been critical issues, but growing awareness is now being matched with increased funding. This creates a unique opportunity to make significant strides in expanding outdoor access.
Organizations like Vermont Adaptive and Kelly Brush Foundation are seeing exponential growth. In fact, Vermont Adaptive has seen a 350% increase in programming in the last 10 years.
Additionally, state and national funding is increasingly directed towards efforts to improve outdoor accessibility. In 2023, for the first time the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation’s Vermont Outdoor Recreation Economic Collaborative’s (VOREC) Community Grant Program (CGP), offered an “Equity” track and awarded grants to 9 organizations or towns seeking to make trails more accessible to people of all mobilities.
The momentum is building, and now is the time to capitalize on it. By leveraging this increased awareness and funding, we can make meaningful progress toward a more inclusive and accessible outdoors for everyone.
Trail Accessibility Hub Partners
Vermont Trails & Greenways Council (VTGC)
VTGC is committed to ensuring that everyone has access to Vermont’s beautiful trails. They advise the FPR’s Recreation Trails Program and oversee the Vermont Trail System (VTS). VTGC guides trails-related legislation and fosters connections and learning opportunities for trails organizations. Their passion is evident in their collaborative efforts to keep Vermont’s trails open and accessible for all.
Upper Valley Trails Alliance (UVTA)
UVTA focuses on enhancing trails in the Upper Valley to be more accessible and enjoyable for everyone. They have assessed and built numerous accessible trails and lead the Trail Finder partnership. UVTA’s goal is to connect people with trails that suit their needs and to continuously improve trail access and quality.
Community Geographics
Community Geographics works closely with trails organizations to develop and promote trail systems that allow more people living with disabilities to connect with nature. They also help manage the Trail Finder website in partnership with UVTA, ensuring that trail information is accessible and user-friendly. Community Geographics is dedicated to making outdoor experiences more inclusive for all.
Vermont Adaptive Ski & Sports (Vermont Adaptive)
Vermont Adaptive provides year-round programming for individuals with a range of disabilities. Their Accessible Advocacy works to enhance adaptive experiences, including trail assessments in partnership with VMBA. Vermont Adaptive is committed to improving accessibility and ensuring that outdoor activities are available to people of all abilities.
Northern Forest Canoe Trail (NFCT)
NFCT is dedicated to preserving and promoting historic travel routes from the Adirondacks to northern Maine. They focus on supporting communities, waterways, and paddling across the Northern Forest by enhancing physical infrastructure and providing trip planning information. With a recent grant from the National Parks Service, NFCT aims to further improve trail accessibility for all.
Vermont Mountain Bike Association (VMBA)
VMBA is dedicated to advancing mountain biking in Vermont through advocacy, education, and community-driven stewardship. They manage over 900 miles of public-access trails and collaborate with Vermont Adaptive and the Kelly Brush Foundation to make trails ‘adaptive-friendly.’ VMBA’s mission is to ensure the sustainability of mountain biking in Vermont and thoughtfully promote exceptional riding experiences for all through advocacy, education, and community-driven stewardship.
