Squadrons of all-terrain wheelchairs arrive at U.S. parks

 Action Trackchair (Aimee Copeland Foundation photo)

"Georgia and South Dakota are the latest states to provide off-road wheelchairs on public trails," report Andrea Sachs and Natalie B. Compton of The Washington Post.

The arrival of "Action Trackchairs" in Georgia's Cloudland Canyon State Park is a game changer for travel blogger and Georgia native Cory Lee. Lee has cruised 40 countries on seven continents in his wheelchair but was unable to explore Cloudland trails. “I’ll finally be able to go on these trails for the first time in my life,” Lee said. “The trails are off-limits in my regular wheelchairs."

Georgia's Department of Natural Resources and the Aimee Copeland Foundation partnered to "unveiled a fleet of all-terrain power wheelchairs for rent at 11 state parks and outdoorsy destinations, including Cloudland Canyon. Action Trackchairs are equipped with tank-like tracks capable of traversing rocks, roots, streams and sand; clearing fallen trees; plowing through tall grass; and tackling uphill climbs," write Sachs and Compton.

Each program has its own reservations system and requirements. For Georgia’s service, visitors must provide proof of their disability and a photo ID, plus complete an online training course available through All Terrain Georgia. Once certified, the organization will forward the rental request to the park. People are encouraged to plan ahead: The certification course takes about an hour; the foundation needs 72-hour advance notice, and the park requires a 48-hour heads-up.