New hiking guide empowers disabled hikers in five Washington state parks

OLYMPIA — State parks have a mission to support outdoor adventures for everyone. As part of this effort, the Washington State Parks Foundation, in partnership with Disabled Hikers and the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission, is pleased to announce the release of Accessible Adventures: A Disabled Hiker's Guide to 5 Washington State Parks. This new guide shares accessibility features and information for five Puget Sound-area State Parks, helping people with disabilities plan outdoor adventures with greater confidence.

Written by and for the disabled community, Accessible Adventures accounts for the diverse needs of people with disabilities in outdoor recreation that traditional guides often overlook. The guide is written by Syren Nagakyrie, Founder and Director of Disabled Hikers, and was made possible through funding and collaboration from the Washington State Parks Foundation.

John Floberg, Executive Director of the Foundation, said "many people lack basic tools and resources to access state parks, and this is one important step we're taking to change that." Additional support and expertise came from the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission, which helped select the five featured parks based on their proximity to densely populated areas to reach more disabled hikers.

"A Disabled Hiker's Guide to 5 Washington State Parks represents a shift to centering Disabled people's experience and expertise in the outdoors," says Syren. "By providing detailed information that considers a variety of accessibility needs, visitors can make more informed choices and better prepare for their state park adventures. Improving access and belonging through Disabled leadership is central to our work at Disabled Hikers, and this project is one example of how important that is. I hope this guide is the first of many for Washington State Parks."

One of the main barriers people experience in accessing state parks is a lack of information about accessibility features. The Disabled Hiker's Guide addresses this by featuring detailed descriptions of wheelchair accessible trails, accessible activities like picnic spots, beaches, and interpretive centers, and park facilities for the following five popular state parks:

• Lake Sammamish State Park
• Flaming Geyser State Park
• Federation Forest State Park
• Dash Point State Park
• Saltwater State Park

Syren provides first-hand, step-by-step descriptions of what people can expect to encounter in key areas of each park, including trail grade measurements, surfaces, and potential obstacles people with wheelchairs, walkers, and other accessibility needs may encounter. Other information includes parking access, and locations of maps, restrooms, and water. The guide also highlights both ADA and non-ADA compliant features to help outdoor enthusiasts plan their trips effectively.

This collaborative effort exemplifies the broader commitment to improving the accessibility of state parks for all Washingtonians. Nature and outdoor exploration are for everyone, and initiatives like this are vital to ensuring all state parks visitors feel welcome and empowered. The five featured parks may also serve as a blueprint for potential expansion of this initiative to other parks throughout Washington State in the coming years.

Accessible Adventures: A Disabled Hiker's Guide to 5 Washington State Parks is available as a free digital download and can be accessed on the Washington State Parks Foundation website and is on the Washington State Parks Foundation website.