Nature Awaits: Accessible Adventures at Rosewood Nature Center
By Iris Maplewood
Have you ever struggled to get out of bed in the morning? The air is cold, and your blankets are soft and toasty. Maybe you don’t want to get up because your bed is so inviting. Maybe you don’t want to get up because you’re still tired. You’ll get up…after five more minutes.
But maybe you don’t want to get up because it’s genuinely hard. Many of us face disabilities that make just getting out of bed exhausting.
The Rosewood Nature Center is built for you.
Some of our trails are paved with asphalt, which makes traversing in mobility devices like wheelchairs that much easier. Other portions of the trail are made of gravel with varying degrees of compaction. Some areas may be more difficult for a traditional wheelchair…so TMPF is excited to offer a David’s chair.
David's Chair is a foundation inspired by the efforts of David Hartrick after he was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig’s Disease. He wanted to continue hiking, hunting, and fishing, even though the disease limited his ability to walk or move. He and his community raised money to purchase what is essentially a tank with a chair on top.
The David’s chair can handle rough terrain, rolling powerfully up and down the inclines on the Rosewood trails. It has five speed levels and performs hairpin turns just by moving the joystick on the armrest. Sometimes it feels a lot like playing a video game! There is also a joystick connected at the back of the chair, so someone else can steer it while walking alongside.
The David’s Chair is free to use. You can reserve it a few days in advance, or just walk in and use it if there are no reservations. Go for a ride along the trails, watch the birds, or pause to literally smell the flowers. The trails are yours.
Of course, not all mobility requirements are the same, so TMPF also offers the Freedom Grit chair.
This chair is user-powered, with one hand on each handle to pump the individual wheels. This means that the chair can go at any speed you need. For those who want a gentle stroll or a good workout, the Freedom Grit chair is an excellent option. It can also be steered by someone else using the taller handles at the back.
Freedom Grit chair is also free to use, no reservation required. The Freedom Grit chair can traverse all of the Rosewood Nature trails, though some areas may be a bit bumpier than others. Changing speed can keep the ride smooth. The power is very literally in your hands!
Many of the Rosewood Nature Center activities also require little mobility. Fishing is permitted in certain areas of the park. In some places, the river is just a few feet from the paved trail, making setup a bit easier. (Please feel free to come catch invasive carp.)
You won’t have to travel far for bird watching, either! In the spring, cliff swallows make their homes under a bridge right over the paved path, very close to the nature center. However, if you’d like to get away from people for a bit, there are some excellent wetland shallows along the eastern side of the park. The Center also has free binoculars for anyone to borrow. Request a chair or bring your own, then sit back and watch the gulls, blue herons, American coots, and the occasional bald eagle. Yes, there are two local eagles who like to visit!
Perhaps you’re more interested in our native plants. The pollinator garden is located next to the parking lot. If you are facing the center, it is the circular garden on the right. The path encircling the garden is slightly inclined, but fully paved. If you’re looking to learn about native plants, insects, or both, you’re in the right place! Most of the plants are annual or biannual, so come back often to see each year’s new additions.
The Rosewood Nature Center itself is also ready to welcome you. Each entrance has button-activated handicap accessible doors. The exhibits are positioned at a variety of eyelevels, including a wide collection of taxidermied wetland birds. These displays can be great as a reference for birdwatching, or just to check out what they may look like up close. The live animal tanks are likewise placed at a variety of eye levels. Come see the frogs, beetles, and a king snake - oh my! You can also check out the fur displays, and yes, you can touch them! Feel the difference between the fur of a skunk and a mountain lion, among a few others. While you’re here, you can watch past recordings from trail cameras on our widescreen TV, or try the monthly crafts from our Junior Naturalist program.
TMPF also hosts a variety of accessible events, including our Walk With Me series. These free interpretive nature walks are hosted every Thursday at Idlewild Park. They are designed to be inclusive and accessible to everyone, including those living with dementia and their care partners.
The Rosewood Nature Study Area also offers events and volunteer opportunities like Carpe Diem or Plantemonium. These events involve different physical activities for both variety and accessibility. If you are interested and would like to ask about specific accommodations, please visit or call any time. TMPF is excited to welcome everyone. We want to support your connection with nature and your community. The Rosewood trails await you.
But…maybe just five more minutes.
About the Author.
Iris Maplewood (she/they)
Rosewood Nature Center Host
Iris graduated from the University of California, Irvine with a B.A. in Anthropology and a minor in Biology. She worked in education as a teacher and tutor before switching careers to conservation. She volunteered and worked for Conserve Southwest Utah in St. George, and is excited to serve her first AmeriCorps term with us as the Rosewood Nature Center Host. She is going back to school to earn a degree in either forestry or environmental science. In her free time, she can be found hiking or playing with her two cats.
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