ACT, FTA, and Florida State Parks to Host Trail Accessibility Event at Prairie Creek Lodge
November 18, 2025
Gainesville, FL - On Saturday, December 6, 2025, Alachua Conservation Trust (ACT), the Florida Trail Association (FTA), and Florida State Parks will host a Trail Accessibility Event from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Prairie Creek Lodge. The event will showcase trail accessibility devices and disability organizations working to ensure everyone can experience North Central Florida’s natural spaces.
Attendees will have the opportunity to try two unique accessible trail devices:
• The EcoRover Chair: ACT’s chair was funded by a grant from the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation National Paralysis Resource Center, the Florida State Parks chair was funded by the Friends of Paynes Prairie, Inc., in partnership with Florida Blue, and the Florida State Parks Foundation. The EcoRover features an adjustable joystick for rider or buddy use, can climb up to a 20% incline, and navigates sand, gravel, dirt, mud, mulch, snow, and grass with ease.
• The Joelette Chair: FTA’s Joelette Chair is an all-terrain wheelchair with a single wheel, which allows any person with a disability to go hiking with the help of at least two guides.
Both devices will be available for trail rides at the event. Registration is strongly encouraged to reserve a timeslot; however, day-of registrations will be accommodated based on device availability.
““Making sure these unique and beautiful conservation lands are accessible to all is very important to ACT; we’re honored to have this EcoRover program available to members of our community. Thanks to our partnership with the Florida Trail Association and Florida State Parks, we’re excited to showcase these important mobility devices.”
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Accessible restrooms will be available on-site at Prairie Creek Lodge, and additional event details—including registration information, in-depth accessibility details, and future events—can be found on ACT’s main website at www.alachuaconservationtrust.org.
