There is a way at Point Beach State Forest north of Two Rivers for those with disabilities to get around.
The Wisconsin DNR held an outdoor wheelchair celebration to raise awareness about what options some specialty wheelchairs will do for those who can’t get around the park without help.
Deanna Sells says the Accessibility Outdoor Program helped donate two chairs to Point Beach and two other parks around the state.
One is motorized, which allows people to drive them on any terrain in the park.
The second chair is a non-motorized chair called a beach wheelchair.
The tires make it easier to go through the Lake Michigan sand and into the water.
Point Beach State Forest Superintendent Erin Dembski-Rodriguez says the wheelchair program will help after hearing about an issue with the family.
“A grandmother was in a wheelchair because she wasn’t able to walk very well,” she explained. “I remember the family had to decide whether if they were going to have to leave grandma back at the campsite because they want to go to the beach. And I felt terrible because that’s a terrible decision you have to make. I’m hoping with this chair, many families can do many things together.”
She also says the two wheelchairs the park is getting will get more people to come to the park.
“With a chair that we borrowed, we had three individuals come out for a first-day hike,” she says. “I do think there is going to be more visitors because we have this adaptive equipment.”
She says right now anyone who wants to use the wheelchairs can use them for free, but they must be rented from the park’s office.
They will only be available at the weekends because most staff have gone home for the summer.
But when they come back, the two chairs will be available all week during the summer.
You have to make a reservation with Point Beach to be allowed to use them by calling the nature center at 920-794-7480.
