Unpaved Trails For All - More Equity Needed to Nature's Health Benefits

Unpaved trail in Keene, NH offers river views.

        I recently had the pleasure of meeting Meg Bandarra, of Unpaved Trails For All, an organization she started to promote accessible trails with less constructed elements to help people connect better with nature. Trails designed for mobility devices can often feel like a track laid down in nature, especially when entirely paved or designed with wood edges and boardwalks. We don't have enough accessible trails - whether paved or unpaved - and I too have a deep appreciation for trails that feel as natural as possible. As a person with a disability whose life was changed when she discovered unpaved trails designed for mobility devices, Meg is a perfect spokesperson for this cause.

A painting from Mt. Tom North Trail by Meg -
a new accessible trail in Easthampton, MA

        Meg Bandarra is a Massachusetts-based landscape artist and an art teacher. She paints in the Connecticut River Valley and Cape Cod, often out in "plein air". Unpaved trails are "for sure life-changing", she says, as they gave her a new career as an artist, allowing her to access beautiful places to do her pastel work.

        According to Meg, studies have shown that the more natural the environment the more stress relief it offers. The less human development there is, the more relaxed we feel, which has a positive effect on our health. The concept of Forest Bathing has been well-known here in the U.S. for over ten years, backed by decades of study in Japan and other countries. Many people naturally seek time in nature, even if they don't understand the science behind the therapeutic benefits.

A man in a power wheelchair enjoys a 
trail on his own in the autumn woods.

       Studies also show that people with limited mobility have significantly higher instances of stress-related illness than the portion of the population without mobility limitations. They also reveal gaps in almost every measure of quality of life and standard of living between the disabled and non-disabled populations. Meg sees the lack of access on her hometown's conservation land as an issue that encompasses public health, environmental justice and equity.

        Statistics from the U.S. Census, the CDC, and the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of People with Disabilities demonstrate the reason why wheelchair accessible trails are in high use. In Massachusetts, half the human population easily falls within the categories of over 65, under 65 with a disabling condition, and under 5 years old. Add to this people accompanying these individuals as family, friends and caregivers, plus those who are recovering from illness or injury, and others who may have limiting conditions that may not qualify as a disability. Then there is the convenient location of these trails for casual use (usually near an accessible built environment), and the desirable reduction of tick exposure on five-foot wide trails. Many factors make accessible trails a good choice for everyone. 

Meg's Plein Air setup for painting.

                Accessible trails also allow people with disabilities an opportunity to experience solitude in nature on their own. Depending on the circumstances of individual disability, solitude in nature may be difficult to obtain. This is an important need of mine, and one that I would like to be able to experience to the degree possible should I - or when I - have a change in abilities. More accessible trails out in the world equals more security for future needs.     

        You can support the creation of more wheelchair accessible trails in Massachusetts, especially unpaved trails in natural settings, by visiting Unpaved Trails For All and signing one or two petitions. In addition to this simple step, consider speaking up about the need for these trails on your own, perhaps at a town meeting, in an email to a local official, or with phone call to conservation groups.

        While I've only met Meg virtually so far, I look forward to seeing her out on a trail soon! 

        Thanks for your advocacy, Meg!!

DCR (Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation) advocates for people to be mindful of the pandemic situation and follow current safe practices outlined by the CDC and Massachusetts Department of Public Health.