RALEIGH — North Carolina State Parks has launched a free equipment rental program for visitors with disabilities to use Zoom all-terrain mobility wheelchairs at William B. Umstead State Park, the division within the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources announced.
Visitors can now submit an interest form to begin the process of reserving a slot to use one of the wheelchairs on the multiuse trails at Umstead State Park. The mobility wheelchairs were purchased by State Parks through a grant from the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation, a nonprofit organization that advocates for improving the quality of life of individuals and families impacted by paralysis.
"We are very grateful to the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation for providing us with this opportunity to improve the lives of so many people," said State Parks Director Brian Strong. "Over 2 million North Carolinians have a form of disability, and we want to ensure they can experience the beautiful landscapes and healthy outdoor opportunities that our Great Trails State offers to everyone."
The four-wheel-drive wheelchairs are user friendly and allow both independent and assisted excursions on the trail. They allow up to 13 miles of use for each reservation, depending on the terrain and speed. Safety is of the utmost importance, and first-time users undergo a thorough orientation, safety training, and test drive with the Adaptive Trail Specialist.
"As stewards of our public lands, we want everyone to feel welcome at our state parks so they can connect with nature," Strong said. "These chairs allow the user to explore more areas of the park, ensuring that the quality of a visitor's experience is not limited by their mobility, cognitive or sensory needs, or disability."
The pilot program is just one of recent initiatives by State Parks to remove barriers to outdoor recreation for visitors with disabilities. Since 2023, State Parks has partnered with Waypoint Adventure to offer adaptive kayaking and adaptive hiking programs at select state parks in western North Carolina. That partnership is currently funded through the Friends of State Parks, a nonprofit organization that supports, promotes, and advocates for the state parks system.
In 2024, State Parks also began offering free Annual Passes to veterans who were discharged honorably and either received benefits or certification that they have a service-connected disability. Last year, the free Annual Pass program provided free equipment rentals, swimming, and access to the four-wheel-drive beach at Fort Fisher State Recreation Area to over 1,200 veterans.
Additional information, including the link to the interest form, is available at trails.nc.gov/zoom.
