Georgia Magazine - February 2023 - 22

Access to all-terrain chairs
All-terrain chairs are available at the following state parks,
historic sites and nature centers:
* Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center, Mansfi eld
* Cloudland Canyon State Park, Rising Fawn
* Don Carter State Park, Gainesville
* Etowah Indian Mounds State Historic Site, Cartersville
* Fort Yargo State Park, Winder
* Hard Labor Creek State Park, Rutledge
* Newman Wetlands Center, Hampton, Clayton County
* Panola Mountain State Park, Stockbridge
* Pickett's Mill Battlefi eld State Historic Site, Dallas
* Red Top Mountain State Park, Acworth
* Smithgall Woods State Park, Helen
* Sweetwater Creek State Park, Lithia Springs
Reservations are required through allterraingeorgia.org.
The chairs are free to use, but the state parks and historic sites
require users to meet eligibility requirements and to complete
certifi cation training.
Rylee Clemens rides out ahead of her father, Doug, and dog,
Ramsey. They were among the beta-testers of the all-terrain
wheelchairs and since have used them at several parks.
In late 2021, Danielle Bunch, senior conservationist with
the Clayton County Water Authority, worked with county
officials to purchase an all-terrain chair.
" A grant from the Clayton County Tourism Authority
provides the means to make the Newman Wetlands Center
more accessible for people with mobility issues, " she says.
" We're continuing to work with a consultant to further improve
accessibility, adding boardwalks and making more trails
conducive to using the all-terrain chair. "
After the chairs arrived at the state parks and historic sites,
park officials and rangers participated in online and hands-on
training provided by the ACF to learn about the chairs' basic
operations, such as speed and direction, as well as accessories
that allow for hunting, fishing, birding and other activities. They
also experienced the chairs firsthand to understand the nuances
of operation.
Park visitors also undergo training before using the chairs,
and they must have a buddy with them or nearby at all times.
Rylee and Doug Clemens were among the beta-testers,
working with the ACF to ensure a deeper understanding of the
chair's capabilities and benefits as well as giving feedback
about the safety protocols and other program guidelines.
They subsequently have used the chairs at several
locations, including the Newman Wetlands Center, the
Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center and Hard Labor Creek State
Park in Rutledge.
" One of our favorites was visiting the campgrounds at
Hard Labor Creek State Park, " she says.
Her father agrees.
22 Georgia Magazine February 2023
" We just rode through at a walking pace-Rylee, Ramsey
and me-and people kept coming up to us, asking questions
and saying how they'd never heard of these kinds of chairs, "
he says. " We even told them about the website and Aimee's
foundation. "
According to her dad, Rylee Clemens has more than
mastered the chair.
" The speeds range from 1 to 5, with 1 being the slowest,
but sometimes on a smoother trail, Rylee cranks it up to 5,
the speed of a very brisk walk, " he says. " When that happens,
Ramsey turns toward me with this look that says, 'She really
just needs to slow down.' "
Both have plans for more outings as the weather warms up.
" We're thinking about visiting the Etowah Indian Mounds
[in Cartersville] one day, then going to Red Top Mountain State
Park [in Acworth] next because they're near each other, " he says.
" We're going to do a trip to help with bird banding, too, "
Rylee Clemens adds. " You know, if it weren't for the chairs, we'd
be stuck just going to the visitors centers. I've got a whole new
choice of adventures. "
Pamela A. Keene is a freelance writer who lives in Flowery
Branch.
For more information
* Aimee Copeland Foundation, aimeecopelandfoundation.org
* All Terrain Georgia, allterraingeorgia.org
* Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center, bit.ly/charlieelliott
* Georgia State Parks and Historic Sites, gastateparks.org
* Newman Wetlands Center, newmanwetlandscenter.com/access
GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES
http://www.allterraingeorgia.org http://www.aimeecopelandfoundation.org http://www.allterraingeorgia.org http://www.bit.ly/charlieelliott http://www.gastateparks.org http://www.newmanwetlandscenter.com/access
Georgia Magazine - February 2023

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