Park group unveils all-terrain wheelchair available for loan
August 6, 2021 | By Tom Scribner 
Friends of Hope Davey Park founder Tom Scribner walks along with friend Jim Milewski who tries out the Action Trackstander Trackchair. Photo by Gordon Miller
Approximately 90 people attended last weekend’s community barbeque and picnic at Hope Davey Park in Waterbury Center sponsored by Friends of Hope Davey Park Inc.
Attendees enjoyed lunch prepared by Waterbury chef Andrew Mumley and tunes by Waterbury's SteelRails four-piece bluegrass band. Families took part in many activities including practicing disc golf, riding ponies from Gimmie D's stables in Montpelier, exploring the nature trails down to the brook, and of course the playground was very busy.
Formed in April, the friends group has three areas of focus: accessibility, diversity, and community. It aims to be a resource for the town of Waterbury and to assist in enhancing recreational opportunities.
We already have a number of interesting suggestions from town residents who also are willing to help fund some of their ideas, for example the installation of a meditative labyrinth in an appropriate location.
On the topic of accessibility, we made an important announcement on Saturday that I share with the community here.
Mindful of the Americans with Disabilities Act signed in 1990 by President George H.W. Bush, the issue of accessibility in public areas is important to this new group.
I have good friends who have lost their mobility. I have my own issues with mobility that are very challenging. It is amazing how much we take walking for granted. For many people, a matter of seconds has left them unable to access many of the basic places and activities of daily life that involve walking independently.
For these reasons, the Friends of Hope Davey Park Inc. has acquired an Action Trackstander Trackchair, a piece of equipment that offers the latest in personal mobility technology. It is designed to offer individuals the ability to do things independently such as going hunting or fly fishing, as their abilities allow and with appropriate levels of support.
Federal law stipulates that a wheelchair – even a battery-powered one – is entitled to travel basically any terrain which allows foot traffic. It is not a toy or an ATV. It is a state-of-the-art assistive device intended for both indoor and outdoor activities. The Trackstander model also will lift an individual to the standing position using safety features to support the transition.
There are very successful Trackchair programs at both Michigan and Colorado state parks. By acquiring this chair, the Friends of Hope Davey Park intend to bring the same type of program to Central Vermont.
The chair we purchased is a 4-year-old used model, manufactured in Minnesota and sold by the Northeast distributor Chappell Tractor in Milford, N.H.
About 40 donors contributed the $15,000 needed to purchase the Trackchair. The used chair offered an opportunity to act as they are few and far between. By comparison, a new model would have been approximately $23,000.
The chair will be available on a reservation basis through the Friends of Hope Davey Park Inc. free of charge. It can only be reserved by disabled individuals with medical clearance to use it. Powered by battery, its average charge is about four hours and requires approximately six hours to recharge.
Those interested in learning more about the Trackchair or reserving it may contact me directly. I will soon have a website.
The Trackchair program and other ongoing efforts of the Friends of Hope Davey Park will rely on fundraising. As a 501(c)3 nonprofit, donations to the group may be tax-deductible.
Waterbury Center resident Tom Scribner started the Friends of Hope Davey Park nonprofit in April. For more information about the Trackchair and the group, email mowtorman@yahoo.com.
