Accessibility of these Nearby Nature Spots

• • Accessibility of these local sites: Access to outdoor activities and leisure is important, including for people with disabilities that might involve walking or other mobility challenges. The locations below are labeled from most easy access to least for people with disabilities.  

     

    Accessible to people with disabilities or mobility challenges: 

    • Ives Park- Lily Spooner, Cameron Jefferson, and Tiara Palazzo - can be accessed by either walking or driving from campus. Right next to the Raquette River. Fully ADA compliant including boat launch for kayaks. Has wheelchair accessible bathrooms and wheelchair friendly trails. There are accessible parking spots next to the Potsdam Best Western, across from the movie theater. 

    • Lehman Park- Mia Iaccino and Mallory Allen- handicap parking, but no clear trail for wheel trails once you get passed the pavement. Long paved but bumpy driveway through open meadows leading to the river. 

    • Munter Trails- Jayden Levitsky, Chloe T, Johnny Dandurand - behind Maple St. Stewart’s, can walk to it from campus (potentially) or drive and park in Stewart’s, can be accessed with a hiking aid for those on a wheelchair, might be a little harder for those without a hiking aid due to rougher terrain and no handrails, etc. but still possible, know your limits. 

    • Spring st. And Barclay St. dead end- Nick Soles- could potentially be reached without getting out of a car, within walking distance from campus 

    • Postwood Beach/Park by Cassandra Bolesh & Marceline Barnes -not accessible from campus by foot, has wheelchair/mobility access but not obvious. Can use driveway and parking spots by beach to get up & down the steep hill and closer to the beach. 

    • Azure Mountain- Orianna Cotten- strenuous hike definitely not handicap accessible 

    • Cubley park- Jenna Switzer - walking distance from campus, ~20 minutes but you have to cross a few busy roads, or you can drive and park on the side of the road but no handicapped parking spots, paved walkways and benches to sit on. 

    • Nicandri Nature Center - Leah Howland - Located in Massena, ~45 minute drive from Potsdam. Features accommodative parking, and well-maintained walking trails with varied levels of difficulty. Paths are not paved, so wheelchairs aren’t fit for this location, unless they have modifications/attachments to assist in the terrain. However, the main building has entertainment: a comfortable seating area inside and outside with a view for birdwatching. There are also monitored animal exhibits inside, a massive fishtank, and a small museum featuring ADK wildlife. 

    • Lampson Falls- Brandi-Marie Williams - 30 min drive, first half mile is wheelchair accessible but might require hiking aids, after that it is too steep and narrow. SHARE PHOTOS FROM EMAIL FOLDER 

     

    Huge interest in improving accessibility of natural settings in the Adirondacks and in New York State parks. 

    • John Dillon Park: Fully Wheelchair-accessible camping and outdoor experiences in Long Lake, Adirondacks. 

    • Find Accessible Trails in the Adirondacks AND The Ultimate Wheelchair Accessible Adirondacks Travel Guide 

    • Accessible public recreation across NYS. DEC launches interactive map of accessible recreation opportunities