The Purpose of the Wheels In The Woods Foundation:

The purpose of the Foundation is to promote the construction of wheelchair accessible pathways through natural settings. By providing pathways that are of proper grade, width, slope, and surface, people with ambulatory difficulty (such as the elderly using walkers and canes or those with diseases that affect co-ordination of the extremities), as well as those who must use wheelchairs, can gain access to nature and remain better connected with their ambulatory friends and relatives.

The Foundation will provide the expertise for design and construction of the trails. It will also, if requested, provide the skilled labor and specialized equipment to facilitate construction. Finally, the Foundation may provide grants of cash to cover out of pocket expenses which local sponsoring groups may not be able to cover.

How the Foundation Will Work:

Through contact and co-operation with conservation oriented groups, such as the Audubon Society and the Nature Conservancy, the Foundation hopes to identify nature preserves with the necessary topographical and environmental characteristics for the installation of ½ mile, 1 mile, and 2 mile wheelchair accessible loop pathways. Sites must be safe and attractive for the circulation of families and groups including disabled and handicapped persons who would, without the upgrade of pathways, be unable to traverse the natural setting.