Great Gear You Can Use! - in State Parks!



Sun worship at Salisbury Beach State Reservation.

BEACH WHEELCHAIRS

There is still plenty of time to enjoy the beach this season! Most coastal New England states offer beach wheelchairs at state parks. Styles may vary but usually require someone to push. Chairs are designed to get you TO the water, assistance may be necessary to get INTO the water.

Massachusetts State Parks: Over 40 parks offer beach wheelchairs on the ocean and inland! Beach wheelchairs are made of PVC pipe and feature a movable arm for transfers and large balloon tires for travel across sand to the water. No fee to use – bring someone to push the chair. Reservations are sometimes required and always recommended. Contact the park directly. Click here for a list of parks with beach wheelchairs.

Connecticut State Parks: Five parks - Hammonasset Beach, Rocky Neck, Sherwood Island, Silver Sands and Squantz Pond - have beach wheelchairs available for visitors. The chairs are free of charge and are on a first come, first serve basis.

Rhode Island State Parks:  Beach wheelchairs are available free of charge, also on a first come, first serve basis, at the following R.I. state beach locations; Scarborough North, Scarborough South, and Roger Wheeler.

Maine State Parks: At least 2 state parks in the southern region advertise beach wheelchairs. Call the regional headquarters in Augusta at 207-624-6080 for more information about beach wheelchairs at Crescent Beach State Park (near Portland) and Popham Beach State Park (near Bath).



Perforrmance style handcycle available to ride in R.I.

HANDCYCLES

There are two New England locations worth knowing where you can use a state-provided handcycle to ride beautiful coastal areas!

Cape Cod Rail Trail - Rent a handcycle and ride through several Cape Cod towns on forested paths! You can also explore adjacent Nickerson State Park bike paths. Two adult touring models (Quickie Mach 3) available at Cape Cod Rail Trail Bike Shop.

East Bay Bike Path -  On a first come, first serve basis, two hand cycles are available at Colt State Park for use through out the park or for the East Bay Bike path in Bristol, Rhode Island.



Ice Sled in use at Buffone Arena in Worcester.

ICE SLEDS
Surprised? Some ice rinks are open year round and offer wonderful respite from the heat or an alternative rainy day activity. Many state rinks in Massachusetts offer ice sleds for seated skating, with short hockey sticks with picks for self -propulsion and an attachable stroller bar for those who need to be pushed. Check out public skating times on-line for each rink. No fee to use sleds, rink admission fee may apply. Recommended  year round rinks:

Jim Roche Community Ice Arena in West Roxbury - currently 7 sleds with 7 handles through October 6th.

Smead Skating Arena in Springfield - currently 4 sleds with 2 handles year round.

Buffone Arena in Worcester - currently 4 sleds with 2 handles year round.

Armstrong Skating Arena in Plymouth - currently 2 sleds with 1 handle year round.