Access 2030: Tennessee's Work to Make our State Parks the Most Accessible in the Nation

By Lynette Porter, Deputy Director, TN Council on Developmental Disabilities

Autumn is my favorite time of the year. The temps are cooler, the trees are exploding in a variety of color. It is a perfect time to experience nature in Tennessee’s state parks. This fall, exciting things are happening across the Tennessee State Parks system to improve the experience for people with disabilities and their families.

Access 2030 is a plan by Tennessee State Parks to make our parks the most accessible in the country by 2030. The project improves physical access for Tennesseans and visitors with disabilities, so they can access all that the state parks have to offer. The Council on Developmental Disabilities has the honor of participating on the steering committee for Access 2030. The work the parks and the Department of Environment and Conservation are doing is remarkable. The project is not only about physical accessibility, but also includes sensory needs and adaptions for learning styles.

A State Parks employee with a light skin tone, short brown hair, and a beard, is demonstrating trail assessment equipment outdoors. He is wearing a black polo shirt with the State Parks logo and green cargo pants, standing beside a portable setup with a laptop and a pushcart equipped with specialized sensors. The demonstration is taking place in a wooded area with other park staff and visitors in the background.
A State Parks employee demonstrates trail assessment equipment.

Our Governor-appointed Council members have had a direct role in the launch of accessibility features across the park system. Our members either have a disability or are a family member of a person with a disability. They represent the cultural and geographic diversity of the state. Members have done “hands-on” testing of accessibility features in the parks, such as all-terrain wheelchairs and adult-size changing tables. Their experiences in their local communities and with Tennessee’s state park system are vital to guiding the work we do.

Below are some of the current highlights of Access 2030:

All-Terrain Wheelchairs (ATWs)

According to the State Parks website, 22 state parks are now equipped with All-Terrain Wheelchairs (ATWs), with 57 chairs funded and planned across the park system. These specialized wheelchairs can navigate diverse outdoor terrains, allowing users to explore areas that would be inaccessible with standard wheelchairs.

One of the most impressive aspects of this initiative is its reach: every Tennessean now has access to a park with an ATW within a one-hour drive. This widespread availability ensures that more people can enjoy outdoor recreation, regardless of their mobility limitations.

The ATWs are available free of charge for both children and adults, making them accessible to a wide range of visitors. They can be operated independently or with caretaker assistance, providing flexibility to suit different needs and preferences.

Adult-size Changing Tables

Adult-size changing tables are available in five state parks, while four more are under construction.

Council member Chrissy Hood, a woman with a light skin tone and blonde hair, is standing with her husband Kevin. He is a man with a light skin tone and light brown hair and glasses. Their daughter Alaina, who also has a light skin tone, has her dark hair tied back. She is standing in front of them. Chrissy is wearing a pink and black patterned blouse with black pants and sandals, Kevin is wearing a black polo shirt with khaki pants, and Alaina is dressed in a bright pink top with white cropped pants and white sneakers. They are all smiling while standing in front of a rustic stone building with wooden doors at Cedars of Lebanon State Park.
Council member Chrissy Hood, husband Kevin, and daughter Alaina attended a celebration event at Cedars of Lebanon State Park.

Additionally, 22 parks are in the planning phase to incorporate them. This work has been directly impacted by our Council member, Chrissy Hood.

The adult-size changing tables will serve the very important purpose of catering to a diverse range of visitors, including parents of children with disabilities and caregivers assisting adult family members.

Accessible Canoe/Kayak Launches

Currently, three parks feature accessible canoe and kayak launches, designed to accommodate visitors with diverse mobility needs. A fourth launch is under construction. Looking ahead, the parks have identified up to 32 more locations as potential candidates for future accessible launches.

High-Efficiency Trail Assessments

High-Efficiency Trail Assessments have been completed on 87 state park trails. 75 are now ready to share detailed accessibility data at trailhead kiosks, giving visitors information to plan their outdoor experiences.

These assessments use the High-Efficiency Trail Assessment Process, which uses a pushcart equipped with specialized sensors. As the cart is moved along the trail, it collects objective data such as:

  • Trail grade (steepness of the trail)
  • Cross slope (side-to-side tilt of the trail surface)
  • Trail width
  • Precise GPS coordinates

These data allow the parks to offer accurate accessibility details for each trail. This benefits visitors with mobility challenges and gives all hikers a clear understanding of trail conditions and difficulty.

Henry Horton State Park Redesign

Henry Horton State Park is undergoing a transformative redesign to set a new standard for accessibility in Tennessee’s state parks. This project includes:

  • Park-wide accessibility improvements to enhance overall visitor experience for people of all abilities.
  • A new lodge and conference center, designed with accessibility as a core feature, to provide comfortable accommodations and meeting spaces for diverse groups.
  • Installation of an accessible canoe/kayak launch on the Duck River, expanding water recreation opportunities for all visitors.

Currently in the design phase, this project aims to create a model of inclusivity and universal design within Tennessee State Parks.

Innovative Technologies

Tennessee State Parks is also using advanced technology and interpretive media to enhance accessibility and create more meaningful experiences for visitors with disabilities. These innovations include augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and other equipment. Examples include:

  • A Trail of Tears augmented reality mobile app and interpretative hologram at Red Clay State Park, bringing history to life for visitors with hearing or visual impairments.
  • An immersive virtual reality experience at Pinson Mounds State Park, allowing those with mobility challenges to explore the ancient Native American site.
  • A specially designed low vision trail at Paris Landing State Park, featuring tactile elements and audio descriptions.
  • Installation of color-blind viewfinders across multiple state parks, enabling visitors with color vision deficiency to fully appreciate scenic views.

We at the Council encourage you to visit a nearby state park this fall and experience Tennessee in full color – as well as some of the new accessibility features firsthand. Tennessee State Parks continues to update its accessibility website as more features and assets come online. Stay up-to-date on park accessibility at tnstateparks.com/accessibility.


Lynette Porter has worked at the Council since 2000. Her primary roles include overseeing the agency budget, operations, and compliance with state and federal policies. Lynette is the mother of two adult daughters, one of whom has a physical disability. Her family has been longtime visitors to Tennessee’s state parks, with Tims Ford State Park being their favorite. They particularly enjoy its accessible cabin rentals and the miles of paved lakeside paths, which make it easy for the whole family to experience nature together. These inclusive features have allowed Lynette and her daughters to create cherished memories in Tennessee’s outdoor spaces over the years.