Enjoy the scenic trails of BLUE SPRING STATE PARK with the all terrain tracked chair

This innovative new program helps mobility-challenged park visitors navigate sugar sand trails meandering through Blue Spring State Park's palmetto patches, pine scrub, and oak hammocks.

The tracked chair is an all-terrain vehicle similar to a small bulldozer. It is ADA-compliant and easy to operate. EcoRover Chairs (link https://www.ecoroverchairs.com/) are built in Tampa, Florida.

Guests with balance issues, vision loss, or other mobility challenges can explore miles of the park's trails safely and securely using an all-terrain tracked chair. The chair can navigate over roots, sand, gravel, dirt, and any other trail surfaces. It is guided with an easy-to-grip joystick. Some users may ask a volunteer to guide it with a remote joystick.

Most of the trail is shaded because it is under a tree canopy. The pathways have gentle curves and a few narrow descents that dip down; the trails for the EcoRover avoid steep descents.

The chair is free to visitors, but reservations are required 48 hours ahead of time, Monday through Friday.Ā Make reservations at:Ā http://www.floridaoffroadadventures.org/

A park volunteer guides the tracked chair hike and explains Florida's unique natural wonders. Guests may see small animals, deer and birds hiding in the dense pine scrub and oak hammocks.Ā 

A friend or family member must accompany guests. Park volunteers cannot assist with transfers in or out of the tracked chair (or crawler). Volunteers are not trained or qualified to help with transfers.

This program is made possible through generous donations from Friends of Blue Spring State Park, Friends of Seminole State Forest, and other groups. The program does not use state funds or resources.

To become a park volunteer for the All-Terrain Chair program, email Connor Wagner, Park Services Specialist at Connor.Wagner@floridadep.gov.

About the Park:Ā Blue Spring State Park is located at 2100 W. French Ave. Orange City FL 32763.

Hours: 8 a.m. until sundown, 365 days a year. Hours for the ATC program may vary depending on volunteer schedules.

Fee: $6 per vehicle to enter

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