The new action track chair is an all-terrain wheelchair that will allow people with mobility issues to hit the trails. After a short demo, I was able to take it out for a spin.
The instructions: "K. Sit back. Get comfortable. Then we're simply going to press this lever forward, which is going to move you forward... And then, of course, if you wanted to go backward..."
"Let me flip it back?"
"Yep. It's set on a low setting."
"It's like a video game."
"Yes. Exactly. You can turn left..."
And I was off over gravel, across the grass, and down a walking path.
The chair allows you to access miles of unpaved trails at the park and participate in programs that typically take place along those trails.
It's a project near and dear to 9th District Councilwoman Whitney Elliott Baxter's heart, whose father suffered mobility issues later in life, leading to a lot of disappointment for his grandchildren.
"When I read about this program out in Colorado, I thought, what a great thing to bring to our community," she said. "We have so many great nature parks, and there are a lot of people no matter if they're actually disabled, permanently disabled or temporarily disabled because you broke a foot or have a bad knee, you're pregnant and you wanna get out in nature... this is just a great opportunity for people to enjoy the beauty that is Fayette County."
The $20,000 track chair was funded by Elliot Baxter's Office Capital Fund. If the pilot program is successful, more will be purchased.
You can reserve time to use it at lexington.gov/ravenrun. Users will be accompanied by a guide.
