Expanding Access to the Outdoors For Everyone

Access to nature should never be limited by mobility.

At the Parks Foundation of Hendricks County, that belief is at the core of our work. Our parks and trails are meant to be places where everyone can explore, recharge, and feel connected—no matter their level of ability.

And sometimes, making that possible comes down to removing barriers in very real, tangible ways.

A New Way to Experience the Trails

Thanks to a grant from the Parks Foundation of Hendricks County, all-terrain mobility chairs are now available at both W.S. Gibbs Memorial Park and McCloud Nature Park.

These chairs are designed to navigate uneven terrain, giving individuals with mobility challenges access to trails that may have once felt out of reach. Even better—they are available at no cost for community members to reserve and use.

It’s a simple idea with a powerful impact: more people experiencing the outdoors, on their own terms.

Meet Vicky

In this video, you’ll meet Vicky, a Hendricks County resident living with multiple sclerosis.

For Vicky, these chairs offer something that goes far beyond convenience. They provide freedom.

Freedom to return to the trails she loves.
Freedom to move through nature with independence.
Freedom to experience something many of us might otherwise take for granted.

Her story is a reminder that accessibility isn’t just about infrastructure, it’s about people and ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to feel the sunshine, breathe in fresh air, and be part of the community spaces we all share.

What Accessibility Really Means

When we talk about accessibility in parks and trails, we’re not just talking about compliance or checkboxes.

We’re talking about belonging.

Projects like the all-terrain mobility chairs are one way we continue to expand what’s possible in Hendricks County, creating spaces that welcome more people, more experiences, and more stories.

Because everyone deserves the opportunity to experience our parks and feel at home on the trails. This is just one example of what your support makes possible across our parks and trails.

Mobility chairs are available to reserve at W.S. Gibbs Memorial Park and McCloud Nature Park at no cost. The mobility chair can be reserved here.