Crotched Mountain Foundation in Greenfield, N.H. is building the state's first accessible trail in a mountain terrain. 

The one-mile trail on Crotched Mountain's campus is using universal design principles to provide access for everyone - the young, old, those with disabilities including those in wheelchairs and the increasing number of seniors who want to continue their enjoyment of the outdoors. The trail winds through varied forest landscapes and around a beaver-formed wetland. When completed, this first trail will be more than 1.25 miles long. This trail is the first project of more than four miles of accessible trails and other recreation activities that are part of Crotched Mountain's outdoor recreation master plan. 

The scenes and experiences trail users will enjoy are typically all but inaccessible to people who rely on wheelchairs for mobility or have other physical impairments. The Crotched Mountain trail system is expected to become a national model for accessible recreation. The first trail is scheduled to open to the public next year.

On October 10, 2008 WMUR-TV's NH Chronicle featured a story about the building of our accessible hiking trail. It features some of our students and employees trying out the trail as well as an interview with the trail builder. You can view this video by clicking the Play button. (left)
This project is is completely funded by donations. To learn more about the project, or to make a donation, contact Patricia Whitney at (603) 547-3311 Ext. 1482