?? accessibility insights with an outdoor naturalist -





explore minnesota | minnesota outdoors | state park access enhanced | family looking at a waterfall on a smooth path. one child is in a wheelchair. [ [link removed] ]





interview with elizabeth nelson

Elizabeth has 12 years of experience as an interpretive ranger (NPS) and interpretive naturalist (DNR). She worked across the Midwest, from Voyageurs to Mount Rushmore, before settling at *William O’Brien State Park [ [link removed] ]*. She leads hikes, boat tours, school trips, and public programs to connect people with nature.

 

A keen observer, she encourages visitors to look up and use all their senses. She acts as the vital link between park resources and visitors, confidently answering questions and knowing where to find more information. When not guiding visitors, she engages in resource work like removing invasive species, seed collecting, and other restoration projects.






a visitor center displays a stuffed black bear and informational panels with enough space for wheelchairs to navigate around [ [link removed] ]





what makes minnesota’s state parks different from other state parks you’ve visited?

I can’t speak for other states, but Minnesota is actively restoring the State Park buildings that are very outdated and usually not very accessible. It's been a big initiative in the last 10-15 years and we have been advocating to get our exhibits, trails, and buildings updated. Our biggest hurdle is how much money we have been allotted, and we were very fortunate that William O'Brien, *Minneopa [ [link removed] ]*, and *Myre-Big Island [ [link removed] ]* qualified for the *Get Out More* [ [link removed] ] funds. 

 

Also, one visitor center gets new displays every year, and with those updates we always consider visitor needs. All are designed with quieter areas for people to wind down, and also feature fidget toys and headphones that people can use to relax. The first places to get updated are and will be the parks with interpreters (about 20). *_Lake Carlos State Park [ [link removed] ]_* just completed their update and *_Sibley State Park [ [link removed] ]_* is being worked on right now.

 

Any brand new Minnesota State Park buildings have quiet rooms built into them and separate areas for nursing parents.






a person with brown curly hair cruises in a track chair on a dirt path surrounded by greenery [ [link removed] ]





what types of accessible trails exist in minnesota state parks?

There are designated ADA accessible trails in some parks. Our Riverside Trail at William O’Brien is a 1.6 mile loop that meets the ADA pitch and grade requirements. Other designated trails around the state will also have either asphalt or a specific crushed rock size that’s still accessible for all.

 

Track wheelchairs open up a whole bunch of opportunities because they can go up to 5 miles in a charge on most terrains and hills. Our *website lists every single park that has track chairs [ [link removed] ]* and the map will designate a green line on trails that the track chairs have been proven to work on. They're like little tanks – they can go a lot of places. And you can use them in winter, too. They’re free rentals, but need a reservation year-round to ensure availability. Also I should mention that anybody with a mobility need can use the track chairs – whether you're in a wheelchair or you had a knee replaced.

 

 

are there accessible campsites and camper cabins available?

Yes, there are accessible sites in many state parks. When William O’Brien had our ADA accessibility overhaul, we renovated some of our pre-existing sites to become designated accessible sites. This meant leveling out the grade, making the tent areas larger for more mobility, and including an elevated tent pad. We also have ramps going to the ADA camper cabins. If you look online, every single camping area lists if it is accessible or not.











a small child with a bowl cut examines tent posts an adult is helping set up. a middle schooler with dark makeup assists the tent in the background. [ [link removed] ]





*LEARN ABOUT THE I CAN! PROGRAMS* [ [link removed] ]






 

are there any state parks that are particularly great for families with young kids? what about elders?

The parks close to the Twin Cities are really good first tries – *William O'Brien [ [link removed] ]*, *Wild River* [ [link removed] ], *Interstate* [ [link removed] ], *Fort Snelling* [ [link removed] ], and *Afton [ [link removed] ]*. Some of these have camping as well.

 

Fort Snelling is right next to the airport, but there's still access to the river. It provides a really good “out of the city” experience, especially because of the crazy amount of deer and good spots for birding. It’s also really great for the elderly, as it has very flat trails. 

 

Otherwise, for kids, it’s best to find a park close to home, as long as the skill level matches your family. That way, if kiddos start to lose it, you don't have to be in a car for hours. For young ones, you can experience the park as long as you want, and then still make it home for nap time.

 

 

any tips for people new to visiting state parks, hiking, or nature?

Each park has its own difficulty levels – different hiking trails and activities are good for different ages and there are unique things to see in every single park. You can use the *ParkFinder* [ [link removed] ] button on the side tab of the DNR website and choose from different criteria based on what you're looking for. For example, if you want to find a park that has an accessible fishing pier and picnic shelter, you can narrow it down and the website will spit out a list of parks that have your requirements.

 

If you don’t have much experience in nature, our guided walks or workshops might make the wilderness feel more accessible. Up at *Tettegouche State Park [ [link removed] ]* there is a class to learn spoon whittling, while *Lake Carlos [ [link removed] ]* and Afton State Park offer snowshoe making. It really just depends on what you're interested in and how far you want to travel. 






a young woman navigates rocky terrain by the water with her leashed fluffy dog [ [link removed] ]





what should people know when bringing their dog to a state park?

All parks are accessible to and welcome dogs. It’s super important to keep your dog leashed and to clean up after them. Many think the State Parks are an off-leash area, but we’re not. We have other people with their dogs that might not like dogs charging up on them and we might have people that are uncomfortable around dogs in general. We also have wild animals and we "really" don't want your dog to go off on an adventure and attack anything "or" have an animal attack your dog that is off-leash.

 

Some parks may have areas where dogs aren't allowed, like a picnic area or a swimming beach. You just have to look up the park you’re going to go to so you know for sure.

 

 

are there different rules for service animals?

They're allowed in our buildings, while all other animals are not. They can be in the camper cabins as well.






a smiling person in winter gear drives a track chair up a snowy hill [ [link removed] ]





how are minnesota state parks accessible year-round?

We talked about being able to check out the *track chairs [ [link removed] ]* year round. Here at William O'Brien, we groom all of our trails – our ski, hiking, and snowshoe trails. A lot of people appreciate that. Every park operation is different and it really depends on staff levels. Because all staff is reduced in the winter. For example: we have about 15 people staffed during the summer and only 5 in the winter.  

We also do programming during the winter, so some parks have ski and snowshoe rentals. These rentals give everyone an opportunity to try expensive winter activities by renting gear for under $10.











left double quotation mark - blue

we are really adaptable and accommodating humans as naturalists. we're always making experiences accessible on the fly.

right double quotation mark - blue










how do programs offered at minnesota state parks keep accessibility in mind?

We are really adaptable humans as naturalists. We have a plan and we have several back up plans in case a person attending a workshop or program didn’t relay the accommodations they need. So if we're going on a hike and we see someone show up needing to use a walker, we pivot and find a new trail that might be completely flat or we might shorten the hike a little bit.  

 

We're always making experiences accessible on the fly. We're very accommodating. These quick changes to our programs happen a lot and it's fun knowing every single day is going to be different from the last. You never know what's gonna happen.






family of 4 smile at the camera as they fish off an accessible dock, blue water & green seaweed visible behind them. 1 child uses a mobility scooter. [ [link removed] ]





what resources or staff assistance are available on-site for visitors who may need help during their park visit?

It will depend on a park’s staffing ability as to what hours they’ll be available, but all of that will be on a park’s website. For William O’Brien in particular, during the summer, we have night security who are on location past midnight Thursday thru Sunday for emergencies. Some parks have staff who live on site, so they can come and help out if any assistance is needed.

 

The parks and local emergency services have such a good relationship that response time to get to the park is always as quick as possible. Now we have lots of first responders who answer to things as well. Also, we’re usually a resting spot for sheriffs to do paperwork, so they help out in the off chance something happens while they’re there. It really depends on how remote your park is.  

 

We also know that phone service can get sketchy, so at every Ranger station, there is a hard line that you can use to call out for emergencies.

 

 

speaking of phone service – is there anything for folks to use so they know where they are in the park?

We have physical and electronic maps. If you're a techie person, *Avenza Maps [ [link removed] ]* is a great app that has free downloads of all the state parks – different maps for different seasons because some of our trails might not be open during the winter. If you're worried about getting lost, it has a nifty blue dot showing your location on our park maps. It runs off of satellite, so you don't have to worry about losing service and not knowing where you are. There's a lot of other maps on that app as well. Some you have to pay for, but all the State Park ones are free.






a naturalist takes 3 people of various ages out on kayaks in the st. croix river [ [link removed] ]





how can someone check the accessibility of a park before visiting?

*ParkF**inder* [ [link removed] ] is the best and preferred way to check accessibility before visiting. Otherwise, feel free to give us a call and leave a message if we don’t answer (or we won’t have a way to call you back). Never hesitate to ask us questions, we're right here. There really are no dumb questions. 

 

If you have anxiety around phones, you can also e-mail our general *DNR Info Center [ [link removed] ]* or email a specific park and we can answer questions that way.

 

On each park's page, there is an alerts tab where we inform people if a trail is closed or there won’t be access to certain amenities. Always read those things (or call to confirm) before you come.

 

If there isn’t a certain accommodation listed on a park’s website, calling or emailing us is the best way to go.






*ENJOY MINNESOTA’S BEST STATE PARKS* [ [link removed] ]






tldr: state parks resources for people with limited, restricted, sensitive or impaired...

*mobility *


* All terrain, all season track chairs 

* Accessible kayak and canoe launches 

* Adaptive mountain bikes and e-bikes 

* Adaptive beach chairs 

 

*vision *


* Color blindness glasses to rent out in select parks

* New displays and signs are designed to make sure they’re accessible for color blindness 

* Braille on navigation signs 

* New display rooms have a speaker remote that will read and describe what is on the display 

 

*hearing* 


* Hearing assist upon request

* Videos in the buildings are cc’d and use audio descriptions 

 

*speech / language* 


* Naturalist programs [ [link removed] ] can provide interpreters with at least 2 weeks notice to the event 

* Many interpretive naturalists are multi-lingual 

 

*cognitive function / sensory processing* 


* All signs are in plain speech, no jargon 

* Icons and symbols are used as much as possible 

* Programs are always designed with different abilities in mind and can be adapted last minute to accommodate 

* Headphones & designated quiet areas 

* For sensory seekers, the displays are tactile and provide various levels of interaction based on visitors comfortability 

* Sensory kits & fidget toys 

 

*financial income* 


* Free park days [ [link removed] ] — one every season — where the pass to get into the park is waived 

* Most programs [ [link removed] ] offered by interpretive naturalists are free 

* You can check out a park pass at a library [ [link removed] ] 

 

*transportation access* 


* Bus grants [ [link removed] ] that pay for gas to and from the park
* The Jefferson Line [ [link removed] ] has route stops close to 13 state parks










related content

OTHER ARTICLES OF INTEREST

 

?? *Discover Minnesota State Parks and Recreation Areas >> [ [link removed] ]*

 

?? *Search the DNR Accessible Outdoors information hub >> [ [link removed] ]*

 

?? *Enjoy Minnesota’s best wheelchair-accessible attractions >> [ [link removed] ]*

 

?? *How to navigate Minnesota with a disability >> [ [link removed] ]*

 

?? *Experience these top sensory-friendly places for kids >> [ [link removed] ]* 






"from top to bottom: Gooseberry Falls State Park in Two Harbors, photo by MN DNR  |  Mary Gibbs Mississippi Headwaters Center at Itasca State Park in Shelvin, photo by Leslie Hough  |  Myre-Big Island State Park in Albert Lea, photo by MN DNR  |  I Can! Program in Minnesota, photo by Minnesota State Parks and Trails  |  Split Rock Lighthouse State Park in Two Harbors, photo by Dana Hernandez"  |  Myre-Big Island State Park in Albert Lea, photo by MN DNR  |  William O'Brien State Park in Marine on St. Croix, photo by MN DNR  |  Interstate State Park in Taylors Falls, photo by Erica Wacker""

"""_
""This interview has been edited for length and clarity."""






*YOUR TEN MUST-DO THINGS THIS SUMMER IN MINNESOTA >> [ [link removed] ]*





[ [link removed] ]
Explore Minnesota - Instagram 150px [ [link removed] ]Explore Minnesota - Facebook 150px [ [link removed] ]Explore Minnesota - Threads 150px [ [link removed] ]Explore Minnesota - Website 150px [ [link removed] ]


did you get this email from a friend?

*SUBSCRIBE* [ [link removed] ]

Explore Minnesota logo - footer final [ [link removed] ]

121 7th Pl E #360, St. Paul, MN 55101

 

You're receiving this newsletter because you signed up for emails from Explore Minnesota. "Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page [ [link removed] ]."








Manage Subscription/Unsubscribe [ [link removed] ]  |  Help [ [link removed] ]



________________________________________________________________________

This email was sent to [email protected] using GovDelivery Communications Cloud on behalf of: Explore Minnesota · 121 7th Place E · Suite 360 · St. Paul, MN 55101 GovDelivery logo [ [link removed] ]