Great News About Accessible Trails!

A group hike on the Noble View All Persons Trail.

Welcome to Everyone Outdoors again! It's time to resurrect this blog to keep everyone informed about new developments in accessible and adaptive recreation. More than ever, it is vital to get outdoors and refresh yourself in nature!

I'm Marcy Marchello, DCR's Universal Access Program Recreation Manager. I've been coordinating adaptive recreation in Massachusetts State Parks for almost 30 years. One of my special projects is accessible trails. In recent years I've been measuring trails for accessibility and developing a graphics and signage system to convey trail access information. More on that later. Here is some good news about accessible trails in Massachusetts:

A group of 27 people pose with flags at the start
of Noble View's new accessible trail.

I was happy to attend a launch event last week for the Massachusetts Trail Access Work Group at the AMC Noble View Outdoor Center's new All-Person's Trail in Russell, MA. There is great support these days for accessible trails, with several organizations involved statewide and at least two state agencies coming together to create and promote trails for all. We are seeing more new trail projects incorporating accessibility in recent years and heightened awareness of and value placed on trails that include people with disabilities in their design and use. Hurray! 

Some agencies and organizations involved in developing and promoting accessible trails:

Massachusetts Office of Outdoor Recreation - new agency with commitment to accessible and adaptive recreation

Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) - Massachusetts State Parks

DCR MassTrails - funding source for trails projects at state and local level

DCR's Universal Access Program - adaptive recreation and more in Massachusetts State Parks

Massachusetts Audubon - conservation organization with accessible/sensory trails at sanctuaries statewide

Unpaved Trails for All - advocate group for natural surface trails

Appalachian Mountain Club - creating accessible trails in New England and provides trail repairs

Meg Banderra speaks before a hike.

Meg Banderra of Unpaved Trails for All spoke about the importance of accessing natural places for people with disabilities. "I feel better in nature," she told the crowd, "my heart and blood pressure go down and I relax. Everyone needs access to nature, and we need more trails designed for mobility devices with easy wayfinding. Massachusetts has thousands of miles of trails, but less than 1% meet accessibility standards. It is great to see more accessible trails being developed all around the state."

Here is a list of newer unpaved accessible trails:

AMC - All Persons Trail - Noble View: .5 mile loop through pine oak forest. (Western Mass)

MassAudubon - Fisher Trail - Brewster Woods Sanctuary, Concord: 1.2 miles round trip through mixed forests to views of the Concord River. (Eastern Mass)

MassAudubon - Harbor Overlook Trail -  Long Pasture Sanctuary, Barnstable: .3 mile loop spanning five habitats with scenic views of harbor and pond. (Cape Cod)

MassAudubon - Woodland Loop - Cedar Pond Sanctuary, Wenham (Eastern Mass)

A colorful sign alongside DCR's Sensory trail 
in Sterling encourages exploring with the senses.

Other accessible trail opportunities:

DCR Accessible Trails webpage statewide listings - we plan to provide more trail access information for selected trails in 2025.

DCR - Sensory Trail along a portion of the Mass Central Rail Trail - Sterling: 3/4 mile forested trail passes between two large ponds and features signage to engage the senses. A regular location for interpretive programs. (Central Mass)

Additionally, DCR is actively working to repair accessible trails that have been damaged in the higher intensity storms of recent years. These include accessible trails at Mt. Tom State Reservation in Holyoke, Wells State Park in Sturbridge, and Pittsfield State Forest in Pittsfield.

Stay tuned for further information, including a post on the All Persons Trail at Noble View!

Use the Easier Trails tab above to access posts about other accessible trails around the state for descriptive information on trail experiences.