FTAccess

You’re Invited! Trail Accessibility Event at Prairie Creek Lodge

Join us on February 22nd, from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM for a day of family-friendly fun and adventure! Hosted by the Florida Trail Association, Alachua Conservation Trust, Sportsability Alliance, and EcoRover, this event is designed to make the outdoors more accessible to everyone.

What to Expect:

Explore the trail using the EcoRover or Jolette accessibility devices
Meet organizations working to make the outdoors accessible to all
Participate in demos and training sessions for those interested in volunteering

Details:

Location: Prairie Creek Lodge, 7204 County Road 234, Gainesville, FL 32641
Accessible restrooms available at the Lodge
The area surrounding the lodge is soft grass, and the road leading into the lodge is a dirt road, but accessible by regular cars

Hike Options:

.6 mile loop with scenic views of wetlands and hammocks
A shorter trip around the Native plant garden area
EcoRover and Jolette devices available on a rolling basis, with 30-minute time slots and 15-minute buffer between trips

To Participate:

Pre-register to secure your time slot and choose from the available hike options (we will do our best to accommodate everyone)
Walk-ins are welcome if you don’t register in advance
If you plan to use the EcoRover or Jolette, please bring a family member or buddy to assist with the transfer

We look forward to seeing you there for a fun and accessible outdoor experience!

Register for the event here!

What is FTAccess?

FTAccess provides hiking experiences to individuals who would not be able to hike on their own. Through hiking and spending time outdoors, our goal is to enhance the lives of participants by providing an opportunity to explore trails in a safe and supportive environment.

Our core belief is that, for a person with a disability, experiencing the thrill of accomplishment can be a rewarding experience. To that end, we are committed to doing what we do best: sharing hiking experiences on the Florida Trail and beyond while exposing others to beautiful ecosystems and landscapes across the state.

What is the Joëlette?

While many accessible trail devices exist, FTAccess employs the use of the Joëlette , an all-terrain wheelchair with a single wheel, which allows any person with a disability to go hiking with the help of at least two guides.

Getting Involved

Who can participate in the program?

FTAccess is designed to facilitate hikes for anyone that needs assistance accessing trails. People with disabilities of any kind are welcome to participate as well as their families, friends, and caregivers.

Where can we go hiking?

The Joëlette itself is capable of traveling on almost every mile of trail in Florida. While FTAccess is primarily focused on the Florida Trail, we embrace partnership opportunities with communities and organizations throughout the state that have a desire to work with us. Therefore, we are open to hiking just about anywhere with anyone, depending on the availability of our staff and volunteers.

How do people participate?

Through our online registration process hikers can sign up to participate with FTAccess. We gather enough information from each individual (or their family/caretaker) to prepare our staff and volunteers to host a hike. We are set up to provide events for individuals (one hiker, one hike) or larger full day events where we can host many hikers in shifts throughout the day. Day hikes are designed for people with disabilities to enjoy fresh air, the outdoors, and time spent with friends and family. In the future FTAccess hopes to provide overnight trips as well. All FTAccess events are at no cost to participants but donations are always welcome.

Have more questions?

Contact [email protected]