The Importance of Accessible Trails

Not all trails are accessible to those with limited mobility. This article highlights eight trails and nature walks in Southern California that can be enjoyed by just about anyone.

2 minute read

September 1, 2023, 6:00 AM PDT

By Clement Lau

Kit Leong / Shutterstock

Trail can provide people of every age, ability, and socioeconomic background safe and inexpensive settings for outdoor physical activity, recreation, and transportation. Within Los Angeles County, there are over 3,300 miles of regional trails managed by numerous agencies, according to the Parks Needs Assessment Plus (PNA+) completed by the L.A. County Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) in 2022. However, not all trails are accessible to people with limited mobility, including those who use wheelchairs or other equipment to help them get around, individuals who are older or have physical disabilities, and children who are not yet able to traverse rocky or steep inclines.

In this article, Laura Newberry highlights eight hikes and nature walks (two of which are maintained by DPR) within an hour’s drive of L.A. that can be enjoyed by just about everyone, including those at the following locations:

Mount Wilson Observatory (Angeles National Forest)
El Dorado Nature Center (Long Beach)
Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve (Huntington Beach)
Placerita Canyon Nature Center (Santa Clarita)
West Fork National Scenic Bikeway (Angeles National Forest)
Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area (Westside)
Point Vicente Interpretive Center and Lighthouse (Rancho Palos Verdes)
The Gabrielano Trail (Altadena)

To learn more about each of them, please read the source article.

On a related note, DPR maintains trails website and a Trails LA County mobile app. The website and mobile app promote the use of trails and inform the public of the value and importance of stewardship, conservation, and habitat restoration of open space. The website is intended to be the go-to online resource for the public to find official trail information throughout the county, while the new mobile app provides an on-the-go experience. Both the website and app offer digital tools, including information on real-time alerts, maps, weather, trail length, elevation, difficulty level, rest stops, picnic locations, and more.

FULL STORY: These 8 L.A. trails are accessible to everyone, from wheelchair users to kids in strollers

Friday, August 25, 2023 in Los Angeles Times

Environment Infrastructure Landscape Architecture Social / Demographics California Trails Los Angeles County Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation Hiking View More

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