Jamie Spore rides on a sand mound on the beach at Ludington State Park. Photo: Steve Begnoche.
From staff reports
People with mobility challenges will gain access to miles of Ludington State Park trails, the iconic Big Sable Point Lighthouse and the beach, thanks to the purchase of an Action Trackchair made possible by the Friends of Ludington State Park.
“The Friends are excited to have provided the track chair to allow individuals with mobility challenges increased access to the beauty of the Ludington State Park,” said Patrick O’Hare, FLSP president. “Because we expect the track chair to be a very popular, we are currently fundraising for a second track chair to be added in May 2023”.”
A mounted joystick allows the user to control the chair’s movements, and an electric mechanism tilts the chair to allow the occupant to remain level as it climbs hills and crosses all types of terrain. For those unable to operate the joystick, they may ask a person walking behind the chair to control it with a separate handheld joystick.
Those using the chair must be able to transfer into or out of the chair on their own, or have someone with them who can assist in the transfer.
Born with spina bifida, area resident and 2016 Miss Michigan Wheelchair Jamie Spore recently tried the Action Trackchair on the state park’s Logging Trail and at the beach near the Lake Michigan Beach House.
“I had a blast!” said Spore, who serves on a Michigan barrier-free design board. “It was so cool to be able to explore parts of the state park that I’ve never seen before, even though I have lived here all my life.”
She said the Logging Trail reminded her of an enchanted forest, and her favorite part of the day was visiting the beach.
“That was a blast!” she said, adding, “That was the first time in my life I ever successfully drove through sand.”
Ludington State Park Manager Jim Gallie said park officials anticipate the track chair will be most often used along the walkway to the lighthouse.
“Use of the chair will be limited to some areas, primarily so we can access the chair with our equipment in case it breaks down,” Gallie added. “The beaches, lighthouse road, pathways around Hamlin and the Logging Trail are where we’re going to start out allowing its use. If we discover more locations where we can get our equipment and trailer, that may change.”
Gallie said the park has focused on improving accessibility for visitors for about a decade, with the help of Friends of Ludington State Park.
FLSP recently funded purchases of accessible and other equipment for park visitors. Earlier this spring, the park installed a SeaCoast EnChroma viewer on the Skyline Trail. The viewer enables colorblind individuals to see color. In 2021, FLSP purchased a universal access kayak/canoe launch for use at the Hamlin Lake beach. A bike-repair station will also be installed near park headquarters.
Gallie stated: “The playground at Hamlin (Lake), the accessible beach walkway and now the EnChroma viewer and track chair are all made possible because of this partnership.”
FLSP, a 401(c)3 non-profit, is marking its 30th year of helping Ludington State Park with its goal of making improvements to the park, its environment and the visitor experience. The organization raises funds for projects the park often is unable to do on its own and provides volunteer support.
The track chair and its trailer were purchased from funds received through a Community Foundation for Mason County grant, from individual donations and by donations made to FLSP as the charity recipient of the Pure Ludington Brrrewfest.
The powered, tracked chair can be reserved online for free by visiting the Friends of Ludington State Park website: https://friendsofludingtonstatepark.org
