Burbank’s new trail accesibility program connects wheelchair users with hiking

The city of Burbank launched a new trail accessibility program to help nature-lovers of all abilities enjoy dignified access to a popular hiking trail with the help of two mobility devices.

As the San Fernando Valley’s first trail accessibility program, the initiative features the use of two Action Trackchair AXIS 40, a mobility device designed to navigate through outdoor terrains. Individuals who use wheelchairs will be able to make reservations for one of the two Trackchairs available at the Stough Canyon Fire Trail.

“There are programs like this, maybe one can be found up in Northern California, but in terms of the level of accessibility and the level of support that we were given from the community to launch this program, this is the only one of its kind in this area,” said Sam Cohen-Suelter, Senior Recreation Leader for the city of Burbank.

Among those who’ve enjoyed the new program already is Joci Scott, who said she was blown away by the launch.

“I showed up thinking it was going to be like a paved or like a boardwalk type trail and we all were just going to stroll along,” Scott, who uses a wheelchair, said. “But I showed up and I saw the chair and I was like, ‘Oh, this is going to be intense. This is going to be like some serious hiking.”

She described the use of the Trackchair as “incredible” and said she was ecstatic she was able to reconnect with hiking.

“Having this chair will help people of all ability levels enjoy the more rigorous experiences that non-disabled people get to experience whenever they want,” Scott said.

The addition to the Burbank Parks and Recreation Department is part of its adaptive recreation efforts, which aim to make recreational activities accessible to people of all abilities. Every year, the city hosts an adaptive sports expo and holds accessible drop-in sports for people of all abilities to enjoy. It’s an initiative that Scott says she champions for.

“It’s so important for more experiences like this to be around the country so people with disabilities get to experience the world the same way that non-disabled people do,” she said.

Reservations to enjoy the trail accessibility program are available online here.

To learn more about Burbank’s adaptive recreation, click here.