Action TrackChairs making parks more accessible

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) recently purchased five Action TrackChairs to be available for use at Camden, Crow Wing, Lake Bemidji, McCarthy, Maplewood, and Myre-Big Island State Parks. These chairs will be a great addition to state parks, but they aren’t the only parks in Minnesota with Action TrackChairs. Olmsted County Parks currently has two chairs: one at Chester Woods Park in Eyota, Minnesota, and the other at Oxbow Park and Zollman Zoo near Byron, Minnesota. The Jay C. Hormel Nature Center in Austin, Minnesota, recently raised enough funds to purchase three TrackChairs for use in their park!

Both Olmsted County Parks and Jay C. Hormel Nature Center were able to purchase the TrackChairs entirely with donations. Working with your local Legion, Veterans Service groups, and various health organizations can be a great starting point for donations. A good old-fashioned fundraiser and use of social media can also quickly raise funds for this effort, as there has been a lot of interest and support for this new and upcoming amenity.

Action TrackChairs are made in Marshall, Minnesota, and they’re the “ultimate all-terrain wheelchair!” These mobility chairs are rugged and made for the outdoors and can be used on smooth surfaces, hiking trails, and even off trail with the ability to go over sticks, small logs, and uneven terrain. Action TrackChairs are easy to use and a great way to help anyone with mobility challenges out and about in nature. Check with each park to see what their reservation and use requirements are. No fees are associated with using the Action TrackChairs at any of the parks. Many opportunities await you with the Action TrackChair! Join us at the annual membership meeting on July 20 to see the chairs in action and test them for yourself.