To improve the accessibility of its preserves and trails, Wissahickon Trails has been undergoing site visits and surveys to pinpoint what improvements are needed, writes Rachel Ravina for Times Herald.

The initiative is being funded through a $75,000 grant from the Montgomery County Recovery Office.

Wissahickon Trails’ Conservation Manager Margaret Rohde with the help of Access Birding Inc. owner Freya McGregor has spent three weeks gathering information and formulating recommendations.

A Trail Accessibility Advisory Council was also formed to participate in the evaluation process, including site visits. The council included caregivers and people with disabilities.

The focus has been on signage improvements, inclusive language and making online information more accessible.

They also looked at how difficult trail and bridge conditions would be to navigate for a person in a wheelchair.

“When we got to the bridge, to observe someone in a wheelchair trying to just get over (something) that’s like an inch high, but you wouldn’t maybe even notice,” Rohde said.

“It changes your perspective when you see that something that little…might make a big difference in their experience of being on the trail.”

McGregor hopes to be able to present a report of recommendations soon.

Read more about Wissahickon Trails’ accessibility improvements in Times Herald.

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