Hiking trails in Ohio just got a whole lot more accessible. The Licking Park District is offering free rentals of all-terrain wheelchairs designed to help people with lower-body mobility challenges explore the outdoors more freely.
The program features GRIT Freedom Chairs, rugged three-wheeled wheelchairs with lever propulsion for maneuvering over uneven terrain like dirt trails, grass, and tree roots.
Each chair is equipped with mountain bike tires, a cushioned seat, footrests, and push bars for assistance from a friend or family member. And despite their heavy-duty design, the chairs disassemble to fit in the trunk of a small car, meaning you can take them to any park or trail, not just those operated by Licking Park District.
Currently, the district offers five ATWs: two GRIT Juniors (for youth under 200 lbs) and three GRIT Spartans (for teens and adults up to 350 lbs). A third GRIT Junior model was recently funded thanks to a new $5,000 donation. Rentals are free and available Monday–Thursday (24 hours) or Friday–Monday (weekend rental). Reservations can be made by calling the Licking Park District office at 740-587-2535, at least one day in advance.
Riders under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian, and all riders are required to provide and wear their own helmet. The district recommends hiking with a buddy, and suggests avoiding steep slopes or bodies of water.
Each GRIT Freedom Chair costs around $5,000, and the program is funded through generous community donations and grants. To help expand the program and make outdoor adventures more accessible for all, the district has partnered with the Licking County Foundation to raise funds for additional chairs.
So whether you’re planning a peaceful adventure in nature or a rugged off-road excursion, this program is designed to help more people experience the outdoors on their own terms. For more info, head over to lickingparkdistrict.com.
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