WYOMING — The Wyoming State Parks & Cultural Resources office has announced its acquisition of an assistive technology device intended to improve park accessibility.
Visitors to select Wyoming State Parks will be able to use TrackMaster Series 2 mobility chair, which is described as a rugged, all-terrain mobility chair, allowing visitors greater access to parks and outdoor recreation activities. These chairs are able to operate in environments that aren’t conducive to traditional wheelchairs. Outfitted with large all-terrain tires, the chair can climb inclines of up to 30 degrees.
“We are committed to providing all visitors with the opportunity to experience the beauty of Wyoming’s state parks,” District Manager for Wyoming State Parks in southwest Wyoming Kyle Bernis said via press release. “The TrackMaster Series 2 mobility chair will allow visitors with mobility challenges to explore more of our parks and participate in a wider range of activities.”
The chair will be available to rent, free of charge, at Bear River State Park, South Pass City State Historic Site and Seminoe State Park. Rentals will be granted on a case-by-case basis. Bernis told Buckrail that, depending on demand, he hopes to accommodate everyone from day-trippers to campers tenting up for longer.
Funding for the chair comes from the Bronco Wild Fund, administered by the America’s State Parks Foundation. Although Wyoming State Parks did not disclose the price for acquiring these chairs, and the TrackMaster website states they sell to dealers exclusively, similar models of mobility chairs on the market retail for $12,000 and up.
“We are confident that the TrackMaster Series 2 will make a big difference in the lives of our visitors,” Bernis said. “We are committed to making our parks accessible to everyone, and this is just one of the many ways we are working to achieve that goal.”
Visitors can obtain more information and reserve the chair by emailing kyle.bernis@wyo.gov.
