Hawk Mountain honored for improving accessibility with new trail
Posted on November 07, 2015 in Visitors
The Partnership for a Disability Friendly Community today recognized Hawk Mountain Sanctuary for helping to create an inclusive, accessible, and welcoming community with the opening of its new Accessible Trail.
“This project is one of the greatest inclusionary outcomes in our entire region, if not in the entire state,” said Amy Beck, the executive director of the Lehigh Valley Center for Independent Living. Beck serves on the steering committee for the partnership and was on hand to present the certificate of recognition to Hawk Mountain President Jerry Regan and Board Chairman Fred Beste III.
Beck, who herself uses a wheelchair, explained that it’s especially difficult to find accessible outdoor spaces simply because the regulations do not yet exist. Karen Shoemaker, the executive director of The Arc and who also serves on the steering committee, agreed.
“Everyone wants to enjoy the same opportunities, but usually if access isn’t required, it doesn’t happen. That’s wasn’t the case with Hawk Mountain,” Shoemaker explained.
The Accessible Trail at Hawk Mountain Sanctuary bends 900 feet in a wide arc, offering a longer but less steep pathway to the nearby South Lookout. The pathway features resting areas after every incline, bench seating, an accessible education area near the lookout, and a smooth viewing platform at the South Lookout. The new trail opened in July at the not-for-profit wildlife sanctuary known for its scenic views and for the chance to watch annual hawk migrations.
“Hawk Mountain used to welcome just a handful of people who used wheelchairs. Now with the new Accessible Trail, we see someone nearly every single day, and often times, several people in one day. It’s the best project I’ve ever been involved with,” says Hawk Mountain President Jerry Regan.
To learn more visit hawkmountain.org/accessibility or call 610-756-6961610-756-6961.
Pictured:
Karen Shoemaker, the Executive Director of The Arc
Jerry Regan, President, Hawk Mountain Sanctuary
Fred Beste, Chairman of the Board, Hawk Mountain Sanctuary
Amy Beck, Executive Director of the Lehigh Valley Center for Independent Living
“This project is one of the greatest inclusionary outcomes in our entire region, if not in the entire state,” said Amy Beck, the executive director of the Lehigh Valley Center for Independent Living. Beck serves on the steering committee for the partnership and was on hand to present the certificate of recognition to Hawk Mountain President Jerry Regan and Board Chairman Fred Beste III.
Beck, who herself uses a wheelchair, explained that it’s especially difficult to find accessible outdoor spaces simply because the regulations do not yet exist. Karen Shoemaker, the executive director of The Arc and who also serves on the steering committee, agreed.
“Everyone wants to enjoy the same opportunities, but usually if access isn’t required, it doesn’t happen. That’s wasn’t the case with Hawk Mountain,” Shoemaker explained.
The Accessible Trail at Hawk Mountain Sanctuary bends 900 feet in a wide arc, offering a longer but less steep pathway to the nearby South Lookout. The pathway features resting areas after every incline, bench seating, an accessible education area near the lookout, and a smooth viewing platform at the South Lookout. The new trail opened in July at the not-for-profit wildlife sanctuary known for its scenic views and for the chance to watch annual hawk migrations.
“Hawk Mountain used to welcome just a handful of people who used wheelchairs. Now with the new Accessible Trail, we see someone nearly every single day, and often times, several people in one day. It’s the best project I’ve ever been involved with,” says Hawk Mountain President Jerry Regan.
To learn more visit hawkmountain.org/accessibility or call 610-756-6961610-756-6961.
Pictured:
Karen Shoemaker, the Executive Director of The Arc
Jerry Regan, President, Hawk Mountain Sanctuary
Fred Beste, Chairman of the Board, Hawk Mountain Sanctuary
Amy Beck, Executive Director of the Lehigh Valley Center for Independent Living