Grand Canyon Access Improvements Slated for Desert View
Thanks to the Arizona Lottery and the Grand Canyon Conservancy, the wheelchair-access at Desert View in Grand Canyon National Park will soon improve. The Arizona Lottery donated $100,000 (matched by the National Park Foundation), which will go towards funding an inter-tribal cultural awareness project that will include access upgrades to the Desert View area.
Located near the East Entrance, Desert View currently presents some access challenges. The iconic Desert View Watchtower is located about a quarter mile from the visitor center, and although the path is paved, there is a sustained 1:8 grade, with no level spots along the way. Although it’s doable for folks who use a power wheelchair or scooter, it’s quite a challenge for manual wheelchair-users and slow walkers.
Future plans call for the addition of an orientation area, shade structure and new picnic areas, as well as rerouting the paths out to the Desert View Watchtower. According to the master plan, these enhancements will all be wheelchair accessible.
Additionally, the Cultural Demonstration Series at Desert View will be expanded. This popular program gives members of the 11 traditionally associated tribes the opportunity to share their crafts and raise awareness of the diverse cultures of the area. This Inter-tribal Cultural Heritage Site, which will provide new opportunities for the native people, is the first partnership of this type in the National Park Service.
For more information, or to check on the progress of this project, visit www.grandcanyon.org/our-work/current-priorities/desert-view/. And for more information about wheelchair-access in the Grand Canyon visit BarrierFreeGrandCanyon.com.
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