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In this Thursday, June 16, 2011, photo, Chelsea Fernandez steers her wheelchair through the woods at the Crotched

Mountai n Rehabil itati on Center in Greenfield, N.H. The center offers over 2.5 mil es of privately funded trail s designed

to be easily accessible for people in wheelchairs and those who have diffi culty walking. (AP Photo/Jim Cole) (Jim Cole,

AP / June 16, 2011)

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KATHY McCORMACK

Associated Press

9:28 a.m. CDT, June 21, 2011

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Nature on wheels: NH trail systembrings thebackcountry to the disabled

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GREENFIELD, N.H. (AP) Chelsea Fernandes steered her wheelchair up and down the

forest trail, passing a maple grove, zigzagging over water along a narrow boardwalk, and

stopping to look at a beaver-built wetland a view she never thought she'd experience

from her wheelchair.

Considered unique by the U.S. Forest Service for offering the disabled unparalleled access to

mountain wilderness, the 2 1/2 miles of trails at Crotched Mountain Rehabilitation Center

in southern New Hampshire will open to the public Friday.

"It allows me to be like everybody else, to experience

nature like everybody else," said the 22-year-old, who

was born with cerebral palsy. "It allows me to

experience life in whole different light and it allows me

to get away from my day-to-day routine. And it kind

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of helps me relax when times get stressful."

The center's trails offer climbs, twists and turns, and

lush views of hillsides and mountains. They were

designed with the goal of easy access to people of all

abilities, including people in wheelchairs and those

who have difficulty walking.

One trail goes through the woods and the other

through a meadow; they are the longest of their type

in a mountain setting and they combine multiple

features steep terrain, bridges and boardwalks,

places to rest in a consolidated space. Hikers can see

blueberry fields, wildflowers, and the occasional

moose.

"It doesn't scream accessibility, and yet, it is," said

Janet Zeller of the Forest Service, which has developed

a set of trail accessibility guidelines. The rehabilitation

center followed those guidelines in designing and

building its trails.

Zeller said she is not aware of any other privateorganization that has designed such a trail system. She

said there are trails in the national forest system that

are all-inclusive, such as some in New Hampshire's

White Mountain National Forest, but they are not as

long, nor do they have the variety in terrain. But there

is a growing interest among states to have such trails, she said.

The 2000 census showed 54 million people with disabilities, Zeller said. The 2010 numbers

haven't been released yet.

"Plus, we know by 2030, over 80 million people will be over 65 and currently one out of

every two people over 65 have a disability," she said. "So there are lots of people who wouldbenefit from accessible design and they don't recreate alone."

The nonprofit rehabilitation center at Crotched Mountain so named because of its V-

shaped peaks resembling the crotch of a tree has a hospital, a school, and outpatient and

community services for people with disabilities such asbrain and spinal cord injuries,

stroke, and other neurological and medical conditions. Therapy is offered for physical,

occupational and speech impairments. The center treats more than 2,000 people annually

throughout New England.

The $500,000 trail system, which was privately funded, is an extension of the center's

mission to provide a caring environment for people with disabilities and do something

special with its 1,400 mountainside acres.

"The idea is, 'Can we build a community of accessibility in the wilderness?'" said Donald

Shumway the center's president and CEO.

The dirt and gravel paths they are not paved are broken up by bridges, boardwalks and

platforms made out of mostly recycled materials, including plastic bags.

The meadow trail is called the Gregg Trail in honor of institution founder Harry Gregg

the grandfather of former U.S. Sen. Judd Gregg and his family. It ascends 200 feet and

reaches an 8 percent grade generally considered moderate difficulty even for foot hikers.

Mark Race, 55, commented on the workout his arms were getting as he steered his manual

wheelchair up the path.

"A power chair or a scooter would be easy," said Race, who suffered a spinal cord injury in

a car accident in 1980. He said hiking up with his chair was a challenge, but doable.

"You wouldn't want to be in a hurry," he added.

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Hikers who use powered wheelchairs are encouraged to make sure their batteries are

charged and may want to consider hiking with a friend if it's their first time.

"You're on your own," said Michael Redmond, the center's chief operating officer.

"It's really a great opportunity for people to get out into the woods," said David Lee,

assistant director of program operations at Northeast Passage, which runs disability-related

sports and recreation programs and services throughout New England.

People with disabilities "typically don't have that option, unless they have a team of people

helping them," he said.

___

Online:

http://www.crotchedmountain.org/

Copyright 2011 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, orredistributed.

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