Find YOUR path
Outdoors for All
Our Approach
We outlined specific objectives to help you to begin immediately to reach your goals for for greater health and happiness outdoors. Read more.​​
Our Programs
Launched initially as Fresh Air Self-Care FOR ALL, our online training helps those caring for people with Developmental Disabilities to create a healthy routine of regular walks &hikes in natural settings. Read more.
A series of events help parents and professionals see - and in some cases try - some of the specialized equipment and programs we have used to help Margot get happy and healthy outdoors. Read more.​​
We have begun to create a comprehensive inventory of in Chester County facilities to help people with disabilities find the paths, trails, parks, & preserves to suit their individual needs and goals. Read more.​​
The Accessibility Scales for Characterizing Easier Natural Trails - ASCENT - will help people with mobility challenges to choose dirt and grass trails aligned with their abilities and goals, opening up more natural spaces to them. Read more.​​
Our Goals
Our overall goal is to demonstrate how to help people with disabilities in Chester County become happier and healthier outdoors in nature. How? By guiding them towards parks, preserves, and trails that have paths, trails, other facilities, and programs that have begun to barriers to access.​
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We also want to help state and county leaders to recognize areas of the county with gaps in access, and identify how these might be closed with targeted investments. These goals are also tailored to meet priorities set out in Pennsylvania's soon-to-be-released Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan.
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How can you get healthier outdoors?
We build on our Fresh Air Self Care FOR ALL training program launched in 2023 program to help people facing disabilities - or any mobility challenges - develop a routine of regular walks in natural settings. We will be updating the program to focus on 4 health goals centered on paths and trails that meet or approach Universal Access (UA) standards
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Get Moving: Start by walking 2-3 times/week at least a half-mile on a paved, multi-use or walking path that meets UA standards
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Get Fit: Next, extend some of these walks to 1 or even 2 miles in length
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Develop Skills: Try taking these walks on natural trails that approach UA standards to find even more walks that bring you closer to nature.​
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Build Resilience: Robust routines can support walking under less than ideal conditions, and support year-round hiking
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How can you get happier outdoors?
We want to help you to experience:
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Adventure, by helping you to plan first forays that grow into longer outings to new parks and paths,
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Nature, by finding beautiful places that are easy to access;
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Connection, by helping you to plan outings like these for a group, and
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Impact, by discovering ways to get involved in conservation.​​​​​
Our Outdoor Access Guide
We are beginning to assemble a comprehensive guide to paths, trails, facilities, and other resources in Chester County tailored to help you to find the parks and paths that support each of these specific kinds of experiences.
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