Site Evaluation Workgroup

Overview

Nature Site Evaluation Working Group’s mission is to ensure that people with disabilities, their families and allies enjoy New Jersey’s extraordinary natural places. We seek to fulfill this mission by facilitating to the general public, land management organizations and their volunteer staff – the Access Nature map and assessment form, teaching participants how to fill out the form and assisting in documenting accessible places that exist as well as identifying spaces that could be made more accessible with minor improvements. We discuss the campaign’s work to evaluate sites and populate the Park Map using our site assessment document, and we work to improve the accessibility of trails and scenic locations across the state. The map and survey provide a summary of key features necessary when considering accessible trails for individuals with mobility concerns, as well as identifying other resources that make a site all-inclusive for other abilities. This is in an effort to identify spaces throughout NJ and foster broad awareness that enjoying nature is both possible and good for you, regardless of one’s abilities.

Goals:

1. Establish a communications campaign that engages individuals with lived experiences, advocacy groups, and land managers in conducting site surveys, and assisting in site design development for inclusion and accessibility features
2. Create and publicize a comprehensive map and data set for public use that details the accessibility and other features of nature trails, amenities and facilities throughout the State of New Jersey.
3. Support land managers in making improvements that increase the accessibility and enjoyment of natural places by people with disabilities and their families and friends.

Actions:

1. Assemble interested agencies, organizations, and individuals to create ideas and plan a collective strategy to advance accessibility priorities at nature sites throughout NJ.
2. Identify the challenges that organizations and agencies face in developing and implementing management plans for accessibility, such as staff and volunteer training, funding, design standards and features for trails and other facilities, and equipment needs.
3. Identify and share resources for accessibility, including topics such as technologies, funding, best practices for inclusion, transportation options, regulatory obstacles, facilities planning, and funding priorities.
4. Provide trainings for land management staff and individuals from the target community to conduct site surveys on inclusion and accessibility.
5. Conduct a comprehensive state-wide assessment of accessible nature trails, scenic sites, amenities and facilities.

Contacts