Michigan Recreation Areas Offer Track Chairs
Track chairs allow wheelchair-users and slow walkers the freedom to explore places that are otherwise inaccessible to them. These off road wheelchairs have tank tracks instead of wheels, and can easily navigate over sand, rough surfaces and even snow. Unfortunately they also come with a big price tag. The good news is, thanks to monetary donations, a large cadre of volunteers, and a few key organizations, many Michigan recreation areas offer track chairs on a loaner basis.
Luddington State Park
www2.dnr.state.mi.us/ParksandTrails/Details.aspx?id=468&type=SPRK
This Western Michigan park is located between Hamlin Lake and the eastern shore of Lake Michigan. It boasts a plethora of ecosystems and includes everything from beaches and wetlands to marshes and forests. It’s also home to the iconic Big Sable Point Lighthouse. This track chair was donated by Friends of Luddington State Park (https://friendsofludingtonstatepark.org/), in keeping with their mission to promote the wise use and conservation of park resources.
The track chair is available from early June to mid-October. Advance reservations are required, and the track chair can be picked up in the main park office. Use of the track chair is limited to three hours. The track chair can be reserved online at friendsofludingtonstatepark.org/page-18107.
Grand Haven State Park
www2.dnr.state.mi.us/ParksandTrails/Details.aspx?id=449&type=SPRK
This 48-acre park, which is located at the mouth of the Grand Haven River, features a half-mile of Lake Michigan shoreline. And anybody with a mobility issue can also explore the sandy beach and check out the two lighthouses, as this park offers two loaner track chairs. These track chairs were purchased with donations from the Jack and Aletha Goodale Family Foundation, Lori’s Voice (www.lorisvoice.org) and the Friends of Grand Haven State Park (https://www.facebook.com/FriendsOfGHSP/)
The track chairs are available from May 1 to October 31. Advance reservations are required. For more information or to reserve a chair, call (616) 847-1309 or e-mail DNR-PRD-GrandHavenSP@Michigan.gov.
Maybury State Park
www2.dnr.state.mi.us/parksandtrails/Details.aspx?id=469&type=SPRK
Next up on our list of Michigan recreation areas that offer track chairs is Maybury State Park. Located about 30 miles northwest of Detroit, this park includes gently rolling open meadows as well as paved and unpaved trails. The track chair was donated by Kali’s Cure for Paralysis Foundation, so that slow walkers and wheelchair-users can explore the 26 miles of trails in the 1,000 acre park.
Reservations for the track chair can be made by calling the park office at (248) 349-8390. The track chair can be picked up at the park headquarters maintenance shop, near the Eight Mile Road park entrance. Guided hikes are also offered, but they are dependent on volunteer availability.
Island Lake Recreation Area
www2.dnr.state.mi.us/ParksandTrails/Details.aspx?id=462&type=SPRK
Located in the Southeastern part of the state, Island Lake State Recreation Area boasts four lakes as well as the Huron River. It’s a popular place to hunt and fish, or to just wander around and enjoy the scenery. And Friends of Island Lake State Recreation Area (www.facebook.com/FriendsOfIslandLakeSRA) donated a track chair so everyone can explore it all.
Reservations for the track chair can be made by calling (810) 229-7067. The track chair can be reserved for up to three hours; however additional hours are usually available by request during the hunting season. Delivery to the parking lot of your choice is also available.
Muskegon State Park
www2.dnr.state.mi.us/parksandtrails/Details.aspx?id=475&type=SPRK
There’s no shortage of shoreline to explore in this Western Michigan state park, which includes two miles along Lake Michigan and one mile on Muskegon Lake. The park trails range in length from just under a mile mile to five miles, so there’s certainly plenty of variety. The Muskegon State Park track chair was donated by Kali’s Cure for Paralysis Foundation.
The track chair is available from May 1 to October 1, and it can be reserved by calling the park at (231) 744-3480. It’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with the park before you make your reservation though, as you will be asked what area of the park you’d like to explore, so the track chair can be delivered there.
Waterloo Recreation Area
www.facebook.com/WaterlooRecArea
The largest recreation area in Michigan’s Lower Peninsula, Waterloo Recreation Area, boasts 20,000 acres filled with 11 lakes. There’s also a robust trail system there, and it’s a favorite for hunters and anglers. The track chair was donated by Kali’s Cure for Paralysis Foundation, so slow walkers and wheelchair-users can enjoy the nature trails, wildlife and scenery.
The track chair can be reserved for one hour increments by calling the Gerald Eddy Discovery Center at (734) 475-3170. It’s stored at the discovery center and can be used on the nearby trails that surround Mill Lake.
Bald Mountain Recreation Area
https://www2.dnr.state.mi.us/ParksandTrails/Details.aspx?id=435&type=SPRK
Located about an hour north of Detroit, Bald Mountain Recreation Area has over 4,000 acres of trails, inland lakes and trout streams. And although it has some of the most rugged terrain in Southeastern Michigan, a track chair is available to access the beach, picnic areas and the Rathburg Trail.
The chair is available for loan in two-hour increments from 8 AM to 4:30 PM, seven days a week. To make a reservation call (248) 693-6767. The track chair is located at the park headquarters in Lake Orion.
Bay City State Park
https://www2.dnr.state.mi.us/ParksandTrails/Details.aspx?id=437&type=SPRK
Bay City State park is located on the west shore of Lake Huron, near Saginaw. It’s filled with over 2,000 acres of wetlands, marshlands, savannah prairies and beaches. It offers accessible fishing, beach mats and picnic areas. The track chair, which was donated by Kali’s Cure for Paralysis Foundation, can be used on trails throughout the park.
The track chair is located at the visitor center, and it can be reserved in two-hour blocks throughout the day. Call (989) 684-3020 for more information, or to reserve the chair.
Holland State Park
Located in the city of the same name, Holland State Park is dotted with sandy beaches and is known for the iconic red lighthouse. The park has two track chairs available for loan, both of which were donated by the Family Hope Foundation. The track chairs can be used to access the beaches as well as the trails in the park.
The chairs are available from 8 AM to 3 PM on the weekdays. Advance reservations may be made by calling (616) 399-9390. Ask to speak to Sean or Dana.
Tahquamenon Falls State Park
www2.dnr.state.mi.us/ParksandTrails/Details.aspx?id=428&type=SPRK
Last but not least on our list of Michigan recreation areas that offer track chairs is Tahquamenon Falls State Park. Although the majority of the park is undeveloped, the highlight is Upper Falls, which spans 200 feet and drops 50 feet into the Tahquamenon River. Lower Falls is smaller, but still worth a stop. Kali’s Cure for Paralysis Foundation also donated a track chair to this park.
The track chair is available from noon until 5 PM, from June 1 to September 5. Reservations can be made by calling (906) 492-3415; however if the track chair is not in use or reserved it’s available on a first-come basis. The track chair can be picked up at the Upper Falls Fact Shack, where there’s access to a number of trails that wind through the park.
