ST. PAUL, MN – On the opening day of the 2024 Minnesota State Fair, The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources in coordination with its Parks & Trails Division, presented to fair goers the various adaptive experiences available to guests of all abilities at Minnesota State Parks.

Through the Get Out MORE (Modernize Outdoor Recreation Experiences) program, the Minnesota Legislature and the Minnesota DNR is enhancing access and welcoming new users to outdoor recreation facilities with the creation of its all-terrain wheelchair program.

State Park & Recreation Area Program Consultant Jamie McBride laid out the vision to expand the program from 13 locations to 21 by the end of 2025. “Our goal as a department is to give individuals of all abilities unforgettable outdoor recreation experiences,” said McBride.

Matt Simmons, a DNR staff member, shared his personal experience in the Action Trackchair during a camping trip at Bemidji State Park and the benefits it can have on one’s mental health. “This device is for anybody,” said Simmons. “If you don’t have the stamina or physical mobility – you can use the Trackchair and benefit from it.”

Ali, an Assistant Park Manager at Fort Snelling Park in St. Paul, spoke to the regular use that the Trackchair has been getting since its arrival and that they are starting to see regular visitors of the park to drive the chair.

It is humbling to see the impact our Action Trackchair continues to have on so many individuals who want to experience outdoor recreation and to see all the beauty that Minnesota State Parks offer.

There is no charge to use the chair, but a state park vehicle permit is required for all vehicles entering the park.

Locations of each Trackchair and reservations can be found on the DNR website (www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/track-chairs.html)