Make no mistake about it, Staunton State Park (cpw.state.co.us/placestogo/parks/Staunton) includes some physical access barriers for wheelchair-users and slow walkers. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t visit it though — quite the contrary. Thanks to the purchase of some adaptive equipment — Action Track Chairs (actiontrackchair.com)– people with mobility disabilities can now explore the trails in this scenic Colorado State Park. Says Track Chair Program Manager Natalie Bostow, “The goal of our program is to help everyone experience the outdoors, and to enable wheelchair-users and slow walkers to enjoy hikes with friends and family. And the track chairs are our means to accomplish that.”

An Innovative Program

Staunton State Park’s track chair program is the result of a collaborative partnership. The Friends of Staunton State Park (friendsofstauntonstatepark.org) raised the funds to buy the track chairs, while the state park manages the program. To date, a robust group of over 30 volunteers have conducted more than 1,000 track chair hikes

The track chairs are simply power wheelchairs with tank-like tracks instead of tires, which makes it possible to explore terrain that’s off-limits to standard wheelchairs.. They can be operated with a joystick — either a golf ball, a tennis ball or a t-bar — which can be mounted on either side. You do need some hand dexterity to operate these chairs; however if you can operate a power wheelchair, you can probably operate a track chair.

The have suspension and non-suspension track chairs, but the suspension models offer much smoother rides. They also have a car seat, and children two and up are welcome to utilize the track chair program. A variety of transfer boards and a Hoyer lift are also available, and the track chairs can accommodate up to 350 pounds. The only disability they can’t accommodate is someone who is 100% ventilator-reliant, and that’s basically because it’s a safety issue.

All track chair users must be accompanied by a companion as well as a volunteer. After a short orientation the volunteer walks behind the track chair and has the ability to control it from that position, if the user can’t manage things. Generally speaking volunteers are there for support and they let the user do as much as he or she can.

Take a Hike

There’s no charge to use the track chairs but reservations are required. They can be made at cpw.state.co.us/placestogo/parks/Staunton/Pages/Track-Chair-Availability-Calendar.aspx , and are available from June to September on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Reservations open for the season on May 1, so plan ahead as they fill up quickly.

When you get to the park, follow the signs to the Meadow Parking Lot. There’s accessible parking in front of the track chair garage, and an accessible picnic table next to it. There’s also an accessible vault toilet in the parking lot.

The track chairs have a battery range of about eight miles, but volunteers usually keep the hikes to four or five miles, just to be on the safe side. All of the track chair trails depart from the Meadow Parking Lot.

The most popular track chair trail is the Davis Ponds Trail. This 2.7-mile trail features some stream crossings, but it’s a good beginner trail. There’s an accessible fishing pier and a picnic table at the mid-point, and adapted fishing poles are available at the track chair garage.

The more advanced 2.4-mile Mason Creek Trail includes some rock obstacles, but it also includes a peaceful meadow and stone house ruins. The longest track chair trail is the 3.8-mile Staunton Ranch Trail. It travels through aspen filled meadows and offers a great view of Pikes Peak, before it loops back past the historic Staunton Cabin.

The track chairs also come with a backpack that has rain gear, additional water, tools and a blanket, but track chair-users are asked to bring water, medication, additional clothing layers, a seat cushion, a hat, sunblock and glasses. Last but not least, don’t forget to pack along a lunch as there are a number of pleasant picnic spots throughout the park.